Fifty-eight patients with surgically treated acquired nonaccommodative esotropia were studied retrospectively, to ascertain what immediate surgical result gives the best chance for a postoperative bifoveal fusional result. Of the cases that were initially overcorrected (exodeviations), approximately two thirds were fusing six months or more after surgery. Of the cases that were initially aligned (orthophoric) or undercorrected (esodeviations), only one third were fusing after the same period. These results suggest that intentional surgical overcorrection of cases of acquired nonaccommodative esotropia that have a good fusional potential (ie, equal vision) does appear to be a desirable goal for the immediate postoperative period.