Our Summary

This research paper investigates whether eye surgery for strabismus (a condition where the eyes do not align properly) can improve learning abilities in children aged 7 to 10. Researchers compared children who underwent surgery to correct their strabismus with those who were recommended for surgery but couldn’t have it due to COVID lockdowns. They found that after surgery, children significantly improved their reading speed and their drawing skills. Although there was a slight improvement in calculation skills, it wasn’t significant. The improvements were more noticeable in the younger children and those with esotropia (a type of strabismus where the eyes turn inward). These findings suggest that strabismus surgery can positively impact a child’s learning performance, particularly in reading and drawing.

FAQs

  1. Can strabismus surgery improve learning abilities in children?
  2. What specific improvements were noticed in children who underwent strabismus surgery?
  3. How does strabismus surgery impact a child’s performance in reading and drawing?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing and successful outcomes. This may include keeping the eyes clean, using prescribed eye drops or ointments, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments with the eye surgeon. It is also important to be patient as it may take some time for the eyes to fully align and for vision to improve after surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended strabismus surgery are those who have:

  1. Constant eye misalignment that is not improving with non-surgical treatments such as glasses or vision therapy.
  2. Strabismus that is causing double vision, eye strain, or difficulty focusing.
  3. Strabismus that is affecting the patient’s ability to perform daily activities such as reading, driving, or playing sports.
  4. Strabismus that is causing self-esteem or social interaction issues due to the appearance of the eyes not aligning properly.

Additionally, children with strabismus may be recommended for surgery if it is affecting their learning abilities, as evidenced by the research mentioned above.

Timeline

Before strabismus surgery:

  • Patient may notice their eyes are not aligned properly
  • Patient may experience double vision or blurred vision
  • Patient may have difficulty focusing on objects
  • Patient may have trouble with depth perception
  • Patient may feel self-conscious about their appearance

After strabismus surgery:

  • Patient undergoes a consultation with an ophthalmologist to discuss the surgery and potential risks
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative testing to assess the severity of the strabismus
  • Patient undergoes the surgery, which typically lasts 1-2 hours
  • Patient may experience some discomfort or swelling after the surgery
  • Patient may need to wear an eye patch or special glasses during the recovery period
  • Patient attends follow-up appointments to monitor progress and ensure proper healing
  • Patient may need to participate in vision therapy to help strengthen eye muscles and improve alignment

Overall, the timeline of strabismus surgery typically involves pre-operative consultations and testing, the surgery itself, and post-operative care and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and alignment of the eyes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  2. How successful is strabismus surgery in correcting misalignment of the eyes?
  3. What is the recovery process like after strabismus surgery?
  4. Will my child need to wear an eye patch or use eye drops after the surgery?
  5. How soon after the surgery will we see a noticeable improvement in my child’s eye alignment?
  6. Will my child need follow-up appointments or additional treatments after the surgery?
  7. Are there any long-term effects or considerations to be aware of after strabismus surgery?
  8. How will strabismus surgery impact my child’s overall visual and learning abilities?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could be considered instead of surgery?
  10. What can we do to prepare my child for strabismus surgery and ensure a successful outcome?

Reference

Authors: Feuillade V, Bourcier T, Gaucher D, Speeg C, Sauer A. Journal: Acta Ophthalmol. 2023 Aug;101(5):546-552. doi: 10.1111/aos.15634. Epub 2023 Jan 24. PMID: 36691981