The incidence, clinical features, and management of essential infantile esotropia in the United Kingdom. A British Ophthalmology Surveillance Unit (BOSU) study.

Background/objectives: A national study was undertaken through the British ophthalmology surveillance unit (BOSU) to determine the incidence, presenting features and management of essential infantile esotropia (EIE) in the UK.

Methods: Data from a prospective national observational study of newly diagnosed EIE presenting to clinicians in the United Kingdom over a 12-month period were collected. Cases with a confirmed diagnosis by a clinician of a constant, non-accommodative esotropia ≥20 prism dioptres (PD), presenting at ≤12 months, with no neurological or ocular abnormalities were identified through BOSU. Follow-up data were collected at 12 months.

Results: A total of 57 cases were reported giving an incidence of EIE of 1 in 12,828 live births. The mean age of diagnosis and intervention were 7.05 ± 2.6 months (range 2-12) and 14.7 ± 4.9 months (range 6.5-28.1), respectively. Management was surgical in 59.6%, botulinum toxin alone in 22.8%, and 17.5% were observed. The preoperative angle of esotropia was smaller in the observation group (P = 0.04). The postoperative angle of esotropia was not statistically significant between botulinum toxin or surgery (P = 0.3), although the age of intervention was earlier in the botulinum group (P = 0.007). Early intervention (before 12 months of age) did not influence the post-intervention motor outcomes between 0 and 10 prism dioptres of esotropia (P = 0.78).

Conclusions: The incidence of EIE in the UK is considerably lower than reported in other population-based studies. The preferred method of treatment was surgical with earlier intervention in those treated with botulinum toxin. An early age of intervention (<12 months) did not influence motor outcomes.