Our Summary

This study looked at the occurrence of strabismus (a condition where the eyes don’t align with each other when looking at an object) in infants who underwent surgery for congenital cataracts (a clouding of the eye lens present at birth). The researchers took into account factors such as the infant’s age at the time of surgery, gender, the nature of the cataract, and whether the surgery was on one or both eyes. They found that strabismus developed more frequently in children who underwent cataract surgery. In particular, the risk was higher when the surgery was done on only one eye. However, other factors such as the child’s age at the time of surgery, gender, cataract characteristics, and the presence of other eye conditions did not significantly affect the likelihood of developing strabismus. The researchers concluded that long-term monitoring for the development of strabismus is important for all infants undergoing cataract surgery, especially those having surgery on only one eye.

FAQs

  1. What is strabismus and how is it related to cataract surgery in infants?
  2. What factors increase the risk of developing strabismus after cataract surgery in infants?
  3. Why is long-term monitoring important after cataract surgery in infants?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about strabismus surgery is to follow all post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and alignment of the eyes. It is also important to attend all follow-up appointments with your eye doctor to monitor for any potential complications or changes in eye alignment. Additionally, it is important to be patient with the healing process as it can take time for the eyes to adjust and align properly after surgery.

Suitable For

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

  • Persistent misalignment of the eyes that is not corrected with glasses or eye exercises
  • Strabismus that is causing double vision or other visual disturbances
  • Strabismus that is affecting the patient’s ability to perform daily activities or impacting their quality of life
  • Strabismus that is causing amblyopia (lazy eye) or other vision problems
  • Strabismus that is not improving with non-surgical treatments such as vision therapy or eye patches
  • Strabismus that is causing social or self-esteem issues
  • Strabismus that is present in young children and is affecting their visual development

It is important for patients to consult with an eye specialist or pediatric ophthalmologist to determine if strabismus surgery is the appropriate treatment option for their specific condition.

Timeline

  • Before strabismus surgery:
  1. Patient notices misalignment of the eyes, leading to double vision or difficulty focusing.
  2. Patient visits an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose the strabismus.
  3. Ophthalmologist discusses treatment options, including surgery, to correct the misalignment.
  4. Patient undergoes pre-operative testing and evaluation to ensure they are a good candidate for surgery.
  • After strabismus surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes the surgical procedure to correct the misalignment of the eyes.
  2. Patient may experience some discomfort, swelling, or redness in the eyes following surgery.
  3. Patient follows post-operative care instructions, which may include using eye drops, wearing an eye patch, or performing eye exercises.
  4. Patient attends follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist to monitor progress and ensure the eyes are healing properly.
  5. Over time, the eyes gradually align, and the patient’s vision improves as the brain adjusts to the corrected alignment.
  6. Patient may need to continue with vision therapy or wear glasses to maintain the alignment of the eyes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery in correcting misaligned eyes?
  3. What is the recovery process like after strabismus surgery?
  4. How long will it take to see the full results of the surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies for strabismus that I should consider before undergoing surgery?
  6. Will I need to wear glasses or use eye drops after the surgery?
  7. How many strabismus surgeries have you performed, and what is your experience with this procedure?
  8. How long will the effects of the surgery last, and will I need additional surgeries in the future?
  9. What can I do to prepare for strabismus surgery, both physically and mentally?
  10. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions or precautions that I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Demirkilinc Biler E, Bozbiyik DI, Uretmen O, Kose S. Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2015 Oct;253(10):1801-7. doi: 10.1007/s00417-015-2983-5. Epub 2015 Mar 29. PMID: 25819919