Strabismus surgery is a surgery that resolves the diagnosis of strabismus, i.e. the position of the eyes known as eye misalignment.

The operation is performed on children and adults.

Most often the eye stands inwards (esotropia) or outwards (exotropia), and somewhat less often there is a vertical disorder of the eye. It is also often associated with other vision disorders (low vision, refractive errors, and nystagmus).

Strabismus as a diagnosis is relatively common in 5% of the population. Strabismus surgery is recommended when more conservative methods such as glasses, patches, prism lenses and exercises do not improve the patient’s eye position.

Strabismus is a disorder of the position or movement of the eyes where both eyes do not have a common direction of vision. In healthy eyes, both eyes stand upright looking at the same point and the movements are the same. In some cases strabismus occurs because the mobility of one eye in a certain direction is limited.

In children, strabismus is usually congenital or develops in early childhood, but can also occur in mechanical injuries or various neurological or internal diseases.

In adults, strabismus often occurs in the case of a head or eye injury due to paralysis of some of the muscles that move the eye. It can also occur as part of some endocrine or immune diseases (thyroid disease).

Symptoms

• Eyes that do not appear to be in the same position at the same time.
• Eyes that do not move together and parallel to each other,
• Blinking or closing one eye in bright light.
• Bending or turning the head to focus on an object.
• Hitting in objects (strabismus limits the perception of the distance of objects).
• The patient may also complain of blurred vision, tired eyes and sensitivity to light or double vision.

Symptoms may appear from time to time. They can get worse when the patient is tired, sick, sleepy or anxious.

In newborns the position of the eyes is usually not fixed and they do not move together. This is normal. During the first year of a newborn’s life, vision gradually develops and the eye muscles slowly strengthen.

If after one year the eyes of the newborn are still not in the same position, it is necessary to be examined by an ophthalmologist.

Strabismus in children impairs the healthy development of vision and therefore it is important to start treatment as early as possible. It is often combined with other vision disorders in children, so it needs to be treated in combination with other treatment methods.

The most common consequence of strabismus is amblyopia of an eye that is not straight. Myopia can be treated only in childhood and therefore it is best to operate on strabismus while the vision is in development.

People who have been diagnosed with strabismus for surgery are candidates, regardless of their age.

Children under one year of age and older may be candidates for strabismus surgery.

The examination is painless, detailed and with one examination a complete finding of the condition of the eye can be obtained.

It lasts up to 2 hours and includes an examination of:

• the anterior segment of the eye,
• binocular vision tests,
• determining the visual acuity of each eye individually,
• computer diopter recording, pupil dilation necessary to determine the total refractive error,
• correction with corrective glasses and
• detailed examination of the fundus.

After the examination, the patient receives the report and the results of the diagnostic tests.

The ophthalmologist indicates which examinations are needed before the operation and the patient is obliged to do these examinations and have them on the day of the operation.

In children, it is necessary to have a report from a pediatrician confirming that the child can receive general anesthesia.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and is completely painless. The duration usually depends on the number of muscles being operated on and whether one or both eyes will be operated on. It usually does not last more than one and a half hours.

In the case when surgery is the best solution, after precise preoperative examinations, the muscles that move the eye are operated on.

The purpose of the operation is to bring the eye to the desired position, and in case of paralysis, the eye muscle returns its mobility.

In order to achieve the desired position of the eye, it is necessary to weaken or strengthen the action of the muscle with surgery. This is achieved by moving the muscle grip, shortening, splitting or creating a double grip on the muscle itself. In case of muscle paralysis (reduced mobility), the paralyzed muscle is joined by healthy muscles that surround it to improve its movement / mobility.

Strabismus surgery makes it easier for the patient to keep both eyes on the same plane. In most cases complete cure is achieved.

Strabismus surgery is also performed on adults who have no impairments, although vision development is already complete. In such cases, the operation is performed for cosmetic and socio-economic reasons (common social stigma and exclusion). By removing the strabismus, the patient is given a better aesthetic appearance and easier social adjustment.

Strabismus surgery is a one-day surgery which means there is no need for hospitalization.

After the operation, the patient rests in a room for 2-3 hours and is released for home treatment with recommended local therapy.

The first follow up is one day after surgery. Further controls are after one week and after one month, and if necessary more often.

The doctor prescribes therapy that the patient uses one month after surgery. It takes one week of postoperative rest and then the patient can return to daily responsibilities.

Generally, after one week of surgery, patients return to their daily responsibilities, with certain precautions.

The first month after the operation it is necessary to be careful and use the recommended therapy regularly.

It is recommended not to wash the face and eyes with tap water and not to touch and rub the eyes with hands to avoid infection. The eyes are open from the first day.

Swimming pools are not recommended and patients should avoid very smoky and dusty rooms for about a month.

The package includes: surgery, preoperative preparation and three follow-ups.

There is an opportunity to pay in installments without interest and additional costs.

You can check more about the payment method on the current price list of Sistina Ophthalmology.