INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING SQUINT SURGERY

Six eye muscles control the eye movements in each eye as shown in figure 1. In Squint surgery these muscles are tightened or made loose depending upon the type of squint to attain a proper balance.

Figure 1

In a squint surgery the muscles are tightened or made loose (Balancing of muscles). This is accomplished through a small incision under the area covered by lid and therefore is not seen from outside. The operation is performed with the stitches, which are not easily visible, and gets absorbed on its own within 6-8 weeks.

o TIMING OF SURGERY– All squints don’t require surgery. Generally squint appearing before one year of age like Congenital Esotropia, needs to be corrected at the earliest possible so as to have proper development of visual functions of your child. Exotropia needs to be evaluated from time to time and your eye doctor is the best to guide you when it needs to be operated

o TISSUE HANDLING – Very delicate soft tissue, therefore requires special handling with specialized techniques

o SURGERY TIME– Surgery takes approx.. 10 minutes per muscle. It is done on either eye/ both eyes or the plan can change on table depending on the position and health of eye muscles.

o HOW MUCH SURGERY IS NEEDED – the surgery is done for the amount of squint seen after wearing glasses.Which means that if the amount of squint is different before and after wearing glasses, once the glasses are worn the eyes will appear straight

o POSTOPERATIVE CARE– if the surgery is done under general anaesthesia, food restriction is there for 6 hours post surgery. The patient/child can resume all the activities within 2-3 days after the surgery. The eyes would be red for 2 weeks and then pink in colour for 2-3 months

o ADJUSTABLE MUSCLE SURGERY – If adjustable muscle surgery is done, some patients require adjustment of the stitches after squint surgery either in OPD or in the operation theatre depending on the age of the patient

o POST SURGERY GLASSES – If your child has glasses, he/ she will require glasses even after surgery, as the surgery is done only to correct squint and not for vision.

o SUCCESS RATE – Ranges from 70 -90%

o RESURGERY– Some cases may require re-surgery

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