Our Summary

This study was designed to compare how well two different types of eye surgeries for strabismus, a condition where the eyes don’t align properly, worked. The researchers looked at surgeries completed at a hospital in Dublin, Ireland. They found that the surgeries where the doctor could adjust the eye alignment after the surgery (adjustable procedures) were just as successful as the ones where no adjustments were made (non-adjustable procedures) at aligning the eyes properly post-surgery. However, they noticed that the adjustable surgeries seemed to have a slightly better effect when considering how much each eye muscle was affected. The researchers also checked if adjusting the eye alignment after surgery had any effect on the final result. They found that patients who had their eye alignment adjusted after surgery had better alignment than those who didn’t need adjustment. In simpler terms, this study suggests that surgeries where the doctor can adjust the eye alignment afterward might be more effective for treating misaligned eyes.

FAQs

  1. What is strabismus and how is it treated with surgery?
  2. What difference was found between adjustable and non-adjustable procedures in the study?
  3. Does adjusting the eye alignment after surgery have any effect on the final result according to the study?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about strabismus surgery is to consider opting for a surgery where the eye alignment can be adjusted after the procedure. This may result in better alignment of the eyes and potentially improve the overall outcome of the surgery. It’s important to discuss this option with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific case of strabismus.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended strabismus surgery are those who have misaligned eyes that cannot be corrected with other treatments such as glasses or vision therapy. These patients may have a variety of conditions causing their strabismus, including childhood strabismus, adult strabismus, or neurological conditions that affect eye alignment. The decision to recommend surgery is typically made by an ophthalmologist or strabismus specialist after a thorough evaluation of the patient’s eye alignment and overall eye health.

Timeline

Before strabismus surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, headaches, and difficulty with depth perception. They may also have undergone various vision tests and examinations to determine the extent of their eye misalignment.

After strabismus surgery, the patient will typically experience some discomfort, swelling, and redness in the eye area. They may also have to wear an eye patch or protective shield for a period of time to protect the eye as it heals. The patient will need to attend follow-up appointments with their doctor to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after strabismus surgery may vary depending on the individual case and the specific type of surgery performed. However, the goal of strabismus surgery is to improve the alignment of the eyes and alleviate any associated symptoms, ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life.

What to Ask Your Doctor

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

  1. What are the different types of strabismus surgery available, and which type do you recommend for my specific case?
  2. How experienced are you in performing strabismus surgery?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with strabismus surgery?
  4. What is the success rate of strabismus surgery for aligning my eyes properly?
  5. Will I need additional surgeries or treatments after the initial surgery?
  6. How long is the recovery process after strabismus surgery?
  7. Will I need to wear glasses or use any other devices after the surgery?
  8. Can the eye alignment be adjusted after the surgery if needed, and how does that affect the final outcome?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before opting for surgery?
  10. What can I expect in terms of improvement in my vision and overall quality of life after strabismus surgery?

Reference

Authors: Ferdi A, Kelly R, Logan P, Dooley I. Journal: Int Ophthalmol. 2017 Oct;37(5):1215-1219. doi: 10.1007/s10792-016-0390-5. Epub 2016 Nov 8. PMID: 27826934