Our Summary
This research paper is about the factors that increase the likelihood of eye-muscle surgery in Taiwanese children who have severe cerebral palsy (a disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture) and strabismus (a condition where the eyes don’t look in exactly the same direction at the same time). The researchers looked at data from children who were newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy and strabismus between 1997 and 2013.
They found that children who were diagnosed with cerebral palsy before the age of 4, lived in suburban or rural areas, were born with a low weight, or had a specific kind of lazy eye (strabismic amblyopia) were more likely to have eye-muscle surgery.
Therefore, for children with cerebral palsy and strabismus who have these risk factors, eye-muscle surgery might be a treatment to consider.
FAQs
- What factors increase the likelihood of eye-muscle surgery in Taiwanese children with cerebral palsy and strabismus?
- Does the age of diagnosis for cerebral palsy impact the likelihood of needing eye-muscle surgery for strabismus?
- Is eye-muscle surgery a common treatment option for children with cerebral palsy and strabismus who live in suburban or rural areas, were born with low weight, or have strabismic amblyopia?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might give to a patient considering strabismus surgery is to carefully follow all pre-operative instructions provided by the surgeon. This may include avoiding certain medications, fasting before surgery, and preparing for post-operative care. By following these instructions, the patient can help ensure a successful outcome and reduce the risk of complications. Additionally, the doctor may recommend a thorough discussion with the surgeon about the expected outcomes, potential risks, and recovery process to help the patient make an informed decision about undergoing strabismus surgery.
Suitable For
Additionally, patients who have persistent or severe symptoms of strabismus that are affecting their vision, such as double vision, difficulty focusing, or poor depth perception, may also be recommended for strabismus surgery. Patients who have tried other treatments for strabismus, such as glasses, eye patches, or vision therapy, without success may also be candidates for surgery.
Overall, the decision to recommend strabismus surgery will depend on the individual patient’s specific circumstances, including the severity of their strabismus, their overall health, and their personal preferences. It is important for patients to discuss their treatment options with their eye care provider to determine if surgery is the best course of action for them.
Timeline
Before strabismus surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as double vision, eye misalignment, headaches, and difficulty focusing. They may also undergo a comprehensive eye exam and consultation with an ophthalmologist to determine the best course of treatment.
After strabismus surgery, the patient will typically experience some discomfort and swelling in the eye area. They may need to wear an eye patch for a period of time to protect the eye and allow it to heal properly. Physical therapy and eye exercises may also be recommended to help strengthen the eye muscles and improve alignment.
Over time, the patient should notice improvements in their vision and eye alignment. Follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist will be necessary to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. In some cases, additional surgeries or treatments may be needed to achieve the desired results.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient or their parent/guardian should ask their doctor about strabismus surgery include:
- What are the potential risks and complications of strabismus surgery?
- How long is the recovery time after strabismus surgery?
- What are the expected outcomes of strabismus surgery?
- Will additional treatments or therapies be needed after strabismus surgery?
- How many strabismus surgeries have you performed and what is your success rate?
- Are there alternative treatment options to consider before opting for surgery?
- Will strabismus surgery improve my child’s vision and overall quality of life?
- What is the overall cost of strabismus surgery and will it be covered by insurance?
- How long will the effects of strabismus surgery last?
- What can we expect during the post-operative follow-up appointments?
It is important for patients and their families to have a clear understanding of the procedure, potential outcomes, and any associated risks before making a decision about strabismus surgery.
Reference
Authors: Lai WY, Kuo TJ, Lee CC, Yin CH. Journal: J Chin Med Assoc. 2020 Dec;83(12):1107-1110. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000440. PMID: 33009210