AIM: To compare unilateral lateral rectus recession surgery and unilateral small lateral rectus recession combines with small medial rectus shortening surgery treatment efficacy for small strabismus degree of basic intermittent exotropia.

METHODS: The 73 cases of small strabismus degree(strabismus degree in -15～-30PD)of basic intermittent exotropia hospitalized patients were analyzed retrospectively. The selected cases are divided into A, B groups: Group A underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession surgery; Group B unilateral small lateral rectus recession combines with small medial rectus shortening surgery. Eyes position, the same time visual, fusion visual, far and near stereoscopic visual postoperative follow-up 6 months were observed and analyzed in both groups.Compare postoperative eyes position anteroposterior rate, undercorrection rate and overcorrection rate; Compare binocular vision recovery rate, undercorrection rate and overcorrection rate. Compare relationships between age and binocular vision recovery rate.

RESULTS: Postoperative anteroposterior ratio of eye position follow-up 6 months: group B was significantly higher than that of group A and difference between the two groups is statistically significance. Postoperative follow-up 6 months binocular fusion function, far and near stereoscopic visual function recovery rate, group B was significantly higher than that of group A and difference between the two groups is statistically significance(P<0.05); Postoperative follow-up 6 months age and single eyes visual function recovery rate: binocular fusion function, far and near stereoscopic visual function recovery rate, 4-12 years old group are higher than 13-30 years old group, difference between the two age groups is statistically significance(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Using unilateral small lateral rectus recession combines with small medial rectus shortening surgery curative effect for the treatment of small strabismus degree of intermittent exotropia. Postoperative anteroposterior ratio eye position, binocular single visual function recovery rate are better than unilateral lateral rectus recession surgery; Early surgery is more advantageous to the binocular visual function recovery.