Strabismus Surgery

Who needs Strabismus Surgery?

Generally, surgery for strabismus is given in cases of constant misalignment that cannot be corrected by nonsurgical means such as prisms, glasses, or vision therapy. Surgery is also suitable for affected children and adults who have visual discomfort, double vision, or social issues because of it.

Importance of Strabismus Surgery

It can improve depth perception, render less strain on the eyes, and help the best-eye function. Strabismus, if not well addressed in time, can lead to a lazy eye in some children; therefore, if intervention is made quickly, it may help avoid permanent loss of vision.

How is strabismus surgery performed?

Strabismus operations involve either repositioning or shortening certain eye muscles in order to get them to line up physiologically properly. The general way this is accomplished is by:-

Preparation: The patient is placed under general anaesthesia (mostly for children), or local anaesthesia with sedation (for adults).

Surgical muscle manipulation – A small cut is made right on the eye surface to reach the muscles.

• Tighten the weak muscle by the surgeon to get the pulling strengthened.
• For over-strong muscles, loosen them to balance the long and short slings.

Suturing – Absorbable sutures are applied to retouch the muscles to their new positions and are inserted sometimes with the use of adjustable sutures for any fine tuning after surgery. The average time for the procedure is 45 minutes to 1 hour per eye and is done as an outpatient procedure.

Is the surgery painful?

No, because it is done under anesthesia, and just mild post-operative discomfort exists that can be addressed with prescribed pain relievers.

Can both eyes be treated at one time?

Yes, if necessary, the surgeon can operate on both eyes in a session, depending on the type and amount of strabismus.

What is the risk of strabismus surgery?

Even though they are considered safe, there are risks related to their surgery, such as:-

• Redness and swelling of the eyes.
• Temporary double vision while the brain adjusts to new positions.
• Incomplete correction that necessitates additional surgery.
• Rare complications like infection or scar tissue.

The highly-trained team at Tender Palm Eye Hospital minimises their risk through the employment of advanced techniques and thorough preoperative evaluations.

What are the benefits of strabismus surgery?

Here are some advantages of the surgery:-

• Enhanced Eye Alignment – improved visual coordination as well as aesthetics.
• Restored Binocular Vision – provides depth perception and reduces eye strain.
• Psychosocial – boosts confidence and self-esteem, especially in children.
• Long-term Stability – Most of the time, provides lasting results.

Is surgery useful for all types of strabismus?

Surgery is most successful for all kinds of strabismus, including esotropia (inward), exotropia (outward), and vertical displacements. In more complex cases, additional surgeries or treatments may be required.

What if alignment is not perfect after surgery?

Sometimes there is a small amount of persistent misalignment or even a recurrence. This may be dealt with by a repeat procedure or through other, non-surgical ways.

What does recovery entail?

Recovery from strabismus surgery takes a relatively short time:-

• Early Post Operative – Patients generally experience some redness, soreness, or mild swelling for a week, which clears completely after that.
• Adjustment to Vision – Some patients might have double vision temporarily until their brain adjusts to the new alignment.
• Healing Period – The eye muscles take full healing of about 4-6 weeks.

Will there be any activity restrictions at recovery?

Yes, they should not rub their eyes and should not perform strenuous physical activities for at least a week. Swimming or taking hot baths should be avoided for two weeks to prevent infection.

When can injuries start to return to normal?

With most patients being back to work or school in a couple of days, it is important to note that specific activities may have to wait until the surgeon says it is safe for them to be resumed.

How quickly can one notice results?

Alignment is immediately better after surgery but takes weeks to settle fully due to brain-muscle adjustments.

What is the long-term outlook for strabismus surgery?

Strabismus surgery is one that proves successful, as most patients attain a fairly successful eye alignment and eye function. Follow-up appointment records and consistency in post-operative care also assist in averting problems regarding the final result.

Does strabismus recur in a surgically treated patient?

In rare cases, strabismus may recur due to changes in muscle tension over time but additional surgery or alternative treatments can be undertaken to treat this problem.

Why choose Tender Palm Eye Hospital for Strabismus Surgery in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Eye Hospital is well-known for its knowledge in this field of adult- and pediatric-ear eye care. With a team of skilled ophthalmologists competent in using methods that ensure the thinness and effectiveness of procedures, he discharged every patient from consultation to postoperative care based on individual needs.

To Schedule an Expert Consultation for Strabismus Surgery in Lucknow, India