TY - JOUR T1 - The Newcastle Control Score: a new method of grading the severity of intermittent distance exotropia JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 233 LP - 235 DO - 10.1136/bjo.2003.027615 VL - 88 IS - 2 AU - H Haggerty AU - S Richardson AU - S Hrisos AU - N P Strong AU - M P Clarke Y1 - 2004/02/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/88/2/233.abstract N2 - Aim: To describe the development and application of a novel scoring system for grading the severity of intermittent distance exotropia (IDEX) and its potential application as an intervention criterion for surgical intervention. Methods: The Newcastle Control Score (NCS) for IDEX was developed by incorporating both subjective (home control) and objective (clinic control) criteria into a scale to grade severity. The score structure described was evaluated for interobserver and test-retest reliability. To determine an optimal score threshold for surgical intervention, 170 cases of IDEX were scored retrospectively. Cure rates for surgical and non-surgical cases were then compared according to preoperative or presenting scores. Results: Interobserver and test-test reliability were good (r = 0.82 and r = 0.89 respectively). Total cure rate with surgery was 54% and without surgery 18% (χ2 = 23.093, df = 1, p<0.001). Significantly fewer patients with NCS ⩾3 achieved cure without surgery than those with NCS 2 (χ2 = 3.362, df = 1, p<0.047). Conclusions: The NCS is a reliable method for grading the severity of IDEX and aids decisions regarding intervention. Patients with a score of 3 or more are unlikely to attain a cure without surgery. ER -