Strabismus Surgery

Strabismus surgery is a surgical procedure performed to treat strabismus, a condition in which the parallelism of the eyes is disrupted because of an imbalance of the eye muscles and the two eyes look in different directions. This operation corrects the alignment of the eyes by strengthening, weakening, or repositioning the eye muscles. Which operation will be performed and to what extent is decided with tests before surgery. Strabismus surgery can be performed in both children and adults.

Why Is Strabismus Surgery Performed?

To correct eye parallelism: to help the eye muscles take the correct position and align the eyes. To improve visual function: to correct the double vision or reduced depth perception caused by strabismus. For aesthetic reasons: strabismus can affect the appearance of the eyes, which may make a person uncomfortable in social life. To prevent lazy eye (amblyopia) in children: if strabismus is not treated over time, the vision of one eye may decrease in children, which can lead to lazy eye.

How Is Strabismus Surgery Performed?

Anesthesia: The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia.

Correction of the eye muscles: The surgeon reaches the eye muscles from under the eyelids and adjusts the length of the muscles. Muscles that pull the eye too much are weakened, and weak muscles are strengthened. This procedure aligns the eye.

Stitches: The stitches with which the eye muscles are adjusted remain inside the eye and are not visible. These stitches help align the eyes correctly. They then dissolve on their own.

Recovery Process After Surgery

Quick recovery: Recovery after strabismus surgery is usually fast. The patient can generally return to normal activities within a few days.

Swelling and discomfort: There may be mild discomfort, redness, and swelling in the eyes for a few days after surgery.

Eye drops: Eye drops are used to prevent infection and speed up healing.

Regular check-ups: Doctor check-ups should be carried out for a few weeks after surgery so that the eyes settle into correct alignment.

Risks of Strabismus Surgery

Temporary double vision: Temporary double vision may be experienced after surgery. This usually resolves within a few weeks.

Insufficient correction or recurrence of strabismus: In some cases the operation may not fully correct the eye alignment, and an additional surgical intervention may be required. In most patients the procedure achieves alignment, though results vary from person to person.

Infection: As with any surgical procedure there is a risk of infection, but this is rarely seen.

Results After Strabismus Surgery

Strabismus surgery aims to align the eyes. However, in some cases, especially in adults, the alignment of the eyes may not be fully corrected or strabismus may develop again. In this case additional operations may be needed.

Alternative Treatment Methods

Glasses or prism: In mild strabismus cases the use of glasses or a prism can correct the eye alignment.

Eye muscle strengthening exercises: In some types of strabismus non-surgical treatments, such as eye exercises that strengthen the muscles, can be used.

In conclusion, strabismus surgery is an effective treatment method for bringing the eyes into a proper position by aligning the eye muscles. Especially with interventions performed at an early age, visual ability can be protected. The decision to operate is made by the doctor according to the degree of strabismus, the patient's age, and the general condition of the eye.

This page is for general information and does not replace a personal examination. The right approach is decided together after an eye examination.