AIM: To discuss and evaluate how different types of strabismus impact on the recovery of distance and near stereoacuity after strabismus surgery.

METHODS:We selected 72 cases of strabismus who were treated in our hospital. They were divided into four groups: Group 1 as constant non-accommodative esotropia; Group 2 as intermittent exotropia; Group 3 as constant exotropia; Group 4 as exotropia V sign with inferior oblique hyperfunction. The distance stereoacuity were examined by synoptophore and the near stereoacuity was examined by Shaoming Yan's stereogram. Above examination data was collected and recorded before surgery, 7d, 1, 3, and 6mo after surgery.

RESULTS: The 72 patients' distance and near stereoacuity were significantly improved after their surgery, compared with their previous binocular vision. The improvement showed statistical significant(P<0.05). The recovery of Group 2's distance and near stereoacuity had been proved superior to that of Group 1, Group 3, and Group 4. The changes in the distance and near stereoacuity of Group 2 were statistically significant(P<0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in the distance and near stereoacuity of Group 1, Group 3, and Group 4 after the surgeries(P>0.05). The damage of distance stereoacuity(0 cases)was more severe than the damage of near stereoacuity(19 cases, 26%). After the surgeries, near stereoacuity's(51 cases, 71%)recovery was significantly superior to the distance stereoacuity's recovery(17 cases, 24%). At 1mo after the surgeries, the improvement of distance and near stereoacuity was most obvious.

CONCLUSION:Postoperative recovery of distance and near stereoacuity varies as per strabismus type. Intermittent exotropia's patients show the best recovery of distance and near stereoacuity after the surgeries. The clinical results on the recovery of distance and near stereoacuity after surgery for constant non-accommodative esotropia, constant exotropia and exotropia V sign with inferior oblique hyperfunction are consistent. As the distance stereoacuity of the patients with strabismus has more severe damage, the recovery of near stereoacuity is superior to that of distance stereoacuity.