Our Summary

A 5-year-old child, who had a form of crossed eyes known as infantile esotropia and an imbalance in their eye muscles, underwent a routine eye surgery. After the surgery, everything seemed fine. However, ten days later, the child was brought back with complaints of severe pain and redness where the surgeon had inserted a tool to adjust one of the eye muscles. The doctors immediately began treatment after taking samples to identify any possible infections. Three days later, the child had intense discomfort after a bout of severe coughing followed by intense pain. An examination using a special lamp used to look at the eye revealed that the surgical wound had opened up, leading to a part of the eye’s gel-like substance to bulge out. To prevent any further complications and to ensure the best possible appearance and vision, the doctors performed another surgery within six hours to patch up the wound on the white part of the child’s eye.

FAQs

  1. What complications can arise after strabismus surgery?
  2. What steps are taken when a child experiences severe pain and redness following strabismus surgery?
  3. What is a scleral patch graft and when is it performed in relation to strabismus surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to avoid any activities that may put strain on the eyes, such as heavy lifting or vigorous exercise, for a certain period of time after the surgery. It is also important to follow all post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. Additionally, the patient should contact their doctor immediately if they experience any unusual pain, redness, or discomfort in the eye after the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for strabismus surgery include those with:

  • Constant or intermittent strabismus that cannot be controlled with glasses or vision therapy
  • Strabismus that is causing double vision or affecting the patient’s ability to perform daily activities
  • Strabismus that is causing amblyopia (lazy eye)
  • Strabismus that is causing cosmetic concerns
  • Patients with neurological conditions or eye muscle disorders that result in strabismus

It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by an ophthalmologist to determine if strabismus surgery is the best treatment option for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before Strabismus Surgery:

  • Patient consults with an ophthalmologist and is diagnosed with strabismus.
  • Patient undergoes a preoperative evaluation to determine the best course of treatment.
  • Patient and surgeon discuss the risks and benefits of surgery, as well as postoperative care instructions.
  • Surgery date is scheduled and patient receives instructions on fasting and medication management before the procedure.

After Strabismus Surgery:

  • Patient undergoes surgery and is monitored in the recovery room before being discharged.
  • Patient may experience pain, redness, and discomfort in the days following surgery.
  • Patient returns for a follow-up appointment within the first week to assess eye alignment and healing progress.
  • Patient may need to wear an eye patch or use eye drops as part of the recovery process.
  • In some cases, complications such as scleral wound dehiscence may occur, requiring immediate medical intervention.
  • Patient continues to attend follow-up appointments to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about strabismus surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of this surgery for my specific condition?
  3. What is the recovery process like and how long will it take for me to fully recover?
  4. Will I need to wear any special eye protection or undergo any specific postoperative care?
  5. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvements in my eye alignment?
  6. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before opting for surgery?
  7. How experienced are you in performing this type of surgery?
  8. Will I need to undergo any additional procedures or follow-up appointments after the surgery?
  9. What can I do to minimize the risk of complications during and after the surgery?
  10. Are there any specific warning signs or symptoms that I should watch out for after the surgery that may indicate a complication?

Reference

Authors: Pujari A, Chaniyara MH, Sharma P, Sharma N. Journal: Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020 Nov;68(11):2555-2557. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1839_19. PMID: 33120690