Congenital esotropia is defined as an esotropia before the age of 6 months,because of its early onset and often constant angle,it cause heavier binocular visual function damage compared with other types of strabismus.Early surgery can improve binocular visual function,but demand reliable,accurate measurements which is difficult to achieve in children,and it may increase the risk of second surgery,amblyopia and anesthesia.Late surgery can gain reliable strabismus angle,but it reduced the likelihood of recovery binocular visual function,and the contracture of medial rectus after a long time esotropia increased mechanical limitation of adduction.Therefore,the choice of timing to do surgery has been controversy over the years.In this paper,we will combine the research status and clinical practice to discuss this issue,and present some point of view for the peer reference. (Chin J Ophthalmol,2013,49:589-592)

Esotropia; Ophthalmolgic surgical procedures; Time factors; Choice behavior