Our Summary

This study looked at the patterns of eye surgeries to correct strabismus, which is a condition where the eyes don’t properly align with each other, at a major eye center in southern China. They looked at data from all the patients who had this type of surgery at the center between 2014 and 2020.

They found that the most common type of surgery was for exotropia, a specific type of strabismus where one or both eyes turn outward. This type of surgery accounted for 54% of all the strabismus surgeries, and it became slightly more common over time. Among exotropia surgeries, the most frequent was for constant exotropia (where the eye is always turned out), but this decreased yearly. On the other hand, surgeries for intermittent exotropia (where the eye turns out only some of the time) increased over the years.

Surgery for esotropia (where one or both eyes turn inward) made up 22.1% of all strabismus surgeries and became significantly less common over the years.

They also found that the age of patients affected the type of surgery done. More children under 12 had surgery for both constant and intermittent exotropia, and this increased every year. But for patients older than 12 with constant exotropia, the number who had surgery decreased each year.

In conclusion, the most common surgery was for constant exotropia, but this decreased over time, and surgeries were most often performed on children under 12.

FAQs

  1. What was the most common type of strabismus surgery performed at the Joint Shantou International Eye Center?
  2. How did the prevalence of surgeries for esotropia and exotropia change over the years from 2014 to 2020?
  3. What was the trend in surgical intervention for patients younger and older than 12 years with intermittent or constant exotropia?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome. This may include keeping the eye area clean, avoiding strenuous physical activity, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. Additionally, the patient should communicate any concerns or changes in their condition to their doctor promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for strabismus surgery include those with constant exotropia and intermittent exotropia, with a higher prevalence in children under 12 years old. Patients with esotropia may also be recommended for surgery, although the prevalence of surgery for this type of strabismus has been decreasing over time. The decision to undergo strabismus surgery should be made in consultation with an ophthalmologist or strabismus specialist based on the individual patient’s specific condition and needs.

Timeline

  • Before strabismus surgery:
  1. Patient notices misalignment of the eyes (exotropia or esotropia).
  2. Patient visits an eye doctor for evaluation and diagnosis of strabismus.
  3. Eye doctor recommends strabismus surgery as a treatment option.
  4. Patient undergoes preoperative testing and consultations to prepare for surgery.
  • After strabismus surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes the surgical procedure to correct the misalignment of the eyes.
  2. Patient may experience some discomfort and swelling in the eyes post-surgery.
  3. Patient follows postoperative care instructions, which may include using eye drops and wearing an eye patch.
  4. Patient attends follow-up appointments with the eye doctor to monitor the healing process and assess the success of the surgery.
  5. Patient may notice improved alignment of the eyes and better vision after the surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What type of strabismus do I have and why do I need surgery?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  3. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery in treating my condition?
  4. What is the recovery process like after strabismus surgery?
  5. How long will it take for me to see improvement in my eye alignment after surgery?
  6. Will I need follow-up appointments after surgery, and if so, how often?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments to strabismus surgery that I should consider?
  8. Will I need to wear glasses or use eye drops after strabismus surgery?
  9. How will strabismus surgery affect my daily activities and lifestyle?
  10. Are there any long-term effects of strabismus surgery that I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Bi Y, Yam JC, Lin S. Journal: BMC Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun 4;22(1):246. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02479-8. PMID: 35658910