STRABISMUS SURGERY

Strabismus surgical treatment loosens or tightens eye muscles changing the alignment of the eyes to each other.

What is the type of anaesthesia used to do strabismus surgery?

The kind of anaesthesia depends upon the patient’s age and health as well as patient preference. Most children undergo general anaesthesia. Grown-ups may have general anaesthesia or conscious sedation with local anaesthesia. The procedure is usually carried out as an outpatient which means patients do not stay overnight in the facility.

How does the surgeon approach the eye muscles?

The eye muscles connect to the sclera (wall of the eye). The muscles are covered by a tiny layer of visible tissue referred to as the conjunctiva. A lid speculum will hold the eyelids open. The surgeon incises the conjunctiva to access the eye muscle(s) and makes use of small instruments to isolate the muscle. No skin cuts are made. The eyeball is not taken out from the eye socket during strabismus surgery.

What is a recession?

A recession weakens function by changing the attachment area of the muscle on the eyeball. Once the muscle has been found, a suture is positioned through the muscle at the attachment area to the eye. The muscle is separated from the surface of the eye and rejoined further back from the front of the eye, loosening the resting tension of the muscle.

What is a resection?

A resection makes stronger the muscle function by reattaching a muscle to the eyeball at the original insertion area after a portion is extracted. A suture is placed on the muscle at the intended new attachment area. The segment of muscle between the suture and the eyeball is extracted and the reduced muscle is reattached to the eye

What is a resection/plication?

A resection makes muscle function stronger by shortening the muscle and then reattaching it to the eyeball at its authentic position. A suture is placed through the muscle at the new planned length. The section of muscle between the suture and the eyeball is folded over (plication) or extracted and the shortened muscle is reattached to the eye.

What is an adjustable suture?

Strabismus surgery has to do with stitching the eye muscle to the wall of the eye after changing the insertion position and/or the length of the muscle. Standard strabismus surgery (no adjustable suture) makes use of a permanent knot tied at the time of the surgical procedure. The adjustable suture method makes use of a bow-knot or slip-knot (temporary knot) in a reachable position. At the end of the surgery, the eye alignment can be changed by adjusting the temporary knot. The adjustment is usually done with the patient wide awake and the operated eye numbed, so adjustable suture surgery typically may only be provided for patients who are able to fully cooperate with the adjustment procedure.

Are the eyes red after strabismus surgery?

It is okay for the white part of the eyes to be red after surgery. It may take several weeks or some months for the redness to go away. The eyes are typically itchy and sore upon movement. The discomfort usually improves after a few days based on the particular surgery performed.

Is medicine used after surgery?

All surgeons use antibiotic or antibiotic/steroid drops or ointment at the end of the surgery. Some surgeons will prescribe a similar drop at the end of the surgery for a few days.

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