Our Summary

This research paper looks at how eye surgery affects people’s depth perception. The particular type of surgery studied is strabismus surgery, which is performed on adults who have misaligned eyes. The researchers aimed to see how depth perception, also known as stereopsis, changed after the surgery.

The study looked back at patients who had the surgery at their institution between 2010 and 2022. They found that after the surgery, about half of the patients had improved depth perception, while only a fifth had no change in depth perception.

The biggest factor in whether depth perception improved after surgery was how much the eyes were misaligned after the procedure. There was also a significant link between depth perception and the ability to see an object as one at a distance.

However, there was no link between depth perception and how much the eyes were misaligned before surgery, the direction of the misalignment, or the type of misalignment. The underlying cause of the misalignment also seemed to have a correlation with depth perception, but it wasn’t statistically significant. Patients with neurological causes had better depth perception after surgery, followed by those with TED (a type of eye condition), while those who had misaligned eyes since childhood were least likely to regain depth perception.

In summary, despite the fact that long-term misalignment of the eyes can limit the ability to see in 3D, the surgery can still potentially improve depth perception, no matter what caused the misalignment in the first place.

FAQs

  1. What is the potential benefit of strabismus surgery for adults beyond cosmesis?
  2. What factors were found to influence improved stereopsis after strabismus surgery?
  3. Was there a correlation found between the underlying cause of strabismus and the level of stereopsis after surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure the best outcome. This may include using prescribed eye drops, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments. Additionally, practicing eye exercises to strengthen eye muscles and improve coordination may also be recommended to help optimize visual outcomes after surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended strabismus surgery are those who have long-standing strabismus that is affecting their quality of life, such as causing cosmetic concerns, difficulties with depth perception, or impacting their ability to perform daily tasks. Patients with a significant angle of strabismus postoperatively, as well as those who have fusion at a distance, may benefit the most from surgery in terms of improving stereopsis. Patients with neurological causes of strabismus tend to have higher levels of stereopsis after surgery compared to those with childhood strabismus. Overall, surgery may be beneficial in improving stereopsis regardless of the underlying cause of strabismus.

Timeline

Before strabismus surgery:

  • Patient may have experienced symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, headaches, or difficulty with depth perception
  • Patient may have undergone a comprehensive eye exam and consultation with an ophthalmologist
  • Patient may have tried non-surgical treatments such as vision therapy or prismatic glasses
  • Patient may have made the decision to proceed with strabismus surgery after discussing risks and benefits with their healthcare provider

After strabismus surgery:

  • Patient may experience temporary discomfort, redness, or swelling in the eye(s) following surgery
  • Patient may need to wear an eye patch or protective shield for a period of time after surgery
  • Patient will have follow-up appointments with their ophthalmologist to monitor healing and alignment of the eyes
  • Patient may undergo vision therapy or other rehabilitation to help improve binocular vision and depth perception
  • Patient may experience improved cosmesis and stereopsis following successful surgery and rehabilitation efforts.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery in adults?
  2. How long is the recovery process after strabismus surgery?
  3. Will I need to wear an eye patch or use any special equipment after surgery?
  4. What are the potential risks or complications of strabismus surgery?
  5. How soon after surgery can I expect to see improvements in my stereopsis?
  6. Will I need to do any specific exercises or therapy to improve my stereopsis after surgery?
  7. Are there any specific factors about my case that may affect the outcome of surgery and my stereopsis level?
  8. How often will I need follow-up appointments after surgery to monitor my progress?
  9. What are the alternatives to strabismus surgery, and how do they compare in terms of improving stereopsis?
  10. Can you provide me with any additional resources or information about strabismus surgery and its effects on stereopsis?

Reference

Authors: Rock O, Golani T, David S, Vered M, Mosleh R, Armarnik S, Wygnanski-Jaffe T. Journal: Can J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug;60(4):e598-e601. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2024.12.007. Epub 2025 Jan 31. PMID: 39824504