What is intermittent exotropia? Intermittent exotropia is a type of common exotropia, which is caused by the combination of abnormal innervation of the central nervous system, imbalance in the collection and separation of the eyes, and anatomical and mechanical factors of abnormal development. The general pattern of its change is that the early appearance of occult exotropia is not easily detected, gradually the appearance of intermittent exotropia can be detected by some parents, and finally the development of constant exotropia is more obvious in appearance. Therefore, intermittent exotropia is a transitional state from occult exotropia to permanent exotropia. Characteristics of intermittent exotropia Exotropia is intermittent, appearing when fatigue and dazed, mostly without conscious symptoms, and some of them have the photophobia phenomenon of preferring to close one eye in the sunlight, and the chance of appearing early is low. This type of strabismus is not related to refraction. This type of strabismus is not closely related to refraction and cannot be eliminated or controlled by glasses; treatment is mainly surgical. In the past, some scholars have tried to control strabismus by collection training in order to avoid surgery, but long-term observation has confirmed that collection or convergence training cannot fundamentally improve the pathogenesis of strabismus, nor can it fundamentally improve binocular visual function; it can only “reduce” the effect of strabismus in the short term, and cannot cure strabismus to avoid surgery. In addition, the collection training before surgery also affects the effect of surgery, because the collection impulse is strengthened in the early stage, it is easy to overcorrect the surgery, and in the distant stage, as the collection relaxes, it is easy to undercorrect the unstable phenomenon, which makes it difficult to grasp the effect of surgery. The timing of surgery for intermittent exotropia is based on four factors: the degree of intermittent episodes (including the frequency and duration of episodes), the degree of strabismus examined by the doctor, whether the monocular function of both eyes is sound, and whether amblyopia is combined. Some children with occasional episodes, short duration of each episode, control of the orthoptic position once reminded, relatively mild strabismus on examination by the doctor, and sound monocular function of both eyes can be followed closely and not operated for the time being, otherwise, surgery is required. Children with combined amblyopia should generally be treated first, otherwise the eye position is not easily maintained after surgery.