AIM:To explore the differences between unilateral recess-resection(R & R)and bilateral lateral rectus recession(BLR-rec)in the treatment of basic intermittent exotropia.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of treatment of basic intermittent exotropia in 89 patients, in which 49 cases underwent unilateral recess-resection, 40 cases underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession of external rectus retroperitoneal surgery January 2013 to January 2015 in our hospital. The stereopsis and strabismus were observed in 1d, 1, 6mo, 1 and 2a after operation.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the success rate and oblique degree between the two groups after 1d, 1, 6mo, 1 and 2a(all P>0.05), but the success rate of the operation was reducing as time passed. After 2d of the operation, the drift of the R & R group was 12.10±5.74PD and the drift of the BLR-rec group was 7.78±4.21PD, the difference was statistically significant(P=0.021). The R & R group was more likely to cause lateral slanting than BLR-rec group. Two groups of patients with nearly stereopsis were both significantly improved, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the two groups(χ²=4.530, P=0.210).

CONCLUSION: The long-term stability of BLR-rec is superior to R & R.