Surgery For Strabismus: An Overview From DrPatch

Surgery for strabismus is generally considered safe and quite effective. The outcome depends on the deviation of the eye in question. After surgery, glasses may still need to be worn though.

Eye muscle surgery can be done if eyes have been misaligned for many years. It can be done at any time and any age. However, the earlier this surgery is done in children, the more likely that the patient will have depth perception.

The "old-school" thought held that strabismus in adults could not be done successfully or that 50% of the surgeries would need further surgery is incorrect. This muscle surgery with the slip-knot technique is 80% successful.

Surgery In Adults

The treatment for adult strabismus is not only cosmetic. In addition, operating on adults with strabismus can improve depth perception, field of vision and eliminate double vision.

Many patients also report improved communication with better eye-contact, enhanced self-esteem and better eye-hand coordination. Recovery period depends on each individual, but anywhere from a few days for children to a couple of weeks for adults.

There's no need to stay overnight in hospital either. It is an outpatient surgery. The patient goes home two hours after surgery. Some people feel that the eyeball needs to be removed! Not at all! The globe is moved from side to side to best get access to the muscles.

After Strabismus Surgery

Is the surgery painful? That's the question on everyone's lips! That's understandable, since the eye is one of those places that can make a brave person squeamish. There is mild to moderate discomfort.

As for staying off school or work, if your work does not involve lifting heavy weights or is not in a dusty, dirty environment, usually one to two weeks is enough time for recovery. Be prepared that the eye may stay red for 3 to 4 weeks.

Approximately one to two hours after surgery, the suture is adjusted in the recovery room. The patient usually goes home soon afterwards.

Adult patients are more likely to have double vision after surgery. It may last anywhere from a couple of days to a month.

Patching

Children undergoing strabismus surgery go home with no patches. Adults who have the adjustable suture will have one eye patched for twenty-four hours.

A final point to make is that both eyes may need to be operated on, even though only one is deviated. Your eyes work together and symmetrical surgery is necessary for optimum visual function.

Surgery for strabismus or any eye muscle surgery can be worrying. However, the success rate is quite high and the sooner you take care of it, the better you'll look and feel.

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