Eye Muscle Surgery - When Is It Needed?

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes deviate in looking at an object and eye muscle surgery is performed in correcting it. However, it must be pointed out that surgery is not the only treatment option. These are based on the type of eye turn with other factors coming into play.

As far as eye muscle surgery is concerned, success rates vary with estimates putting it at somewhere between 35%-80%. Age requirements are not restricted and patients young and old can be treated. Conditions such as nerve palsy though may prevent eye muscle surgery from being performed.

Eye Muscle Surgery Procedure

Eye muscle surgery is often performed on children. A general anesthesia is required in children. Adults can usually tolerate local anesthesia too. Generally, the procedure is performed in an outpatient hospital in a same day surgery setting.

Before an eye muscle surgery, the doctors take thorough measurements to determine the degree of muscle imbalance. This way they know how much surgery should be performed on the eye muscle. The first step of the surgical procedure is to separate the eye muscle from the eyeball side.

Afterwards, the eye muscle is reattached at another position. Surgeons use some special stitches that do not need to be removed after surgery. If the eye muscle has to be tightened, part of it is being removed or the surgeon makes a tuck before reconnecting it to the eyeball.

After everything else is complete, the membrane layer that covers the eye muscle is put back into its place. These same types of stitches are used to secure it.

After Eye Muscle Procedure

After the surgical procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery room to be closely supervised for a short period of time. The medical staff will check his or her vital signs, pulse, blood pressure and breathing frequently. Some patients experience nausea after an eye muscle surgery. Medication is given to improve this condition. Many patients also need pain medication to reduce discomfort. An eye patch is often applied to protect the eye.

After Eye Surgery Care

The majority of the patients are able to go home on the same day. Ointment or eye drops are often used at home to prevent infection and swelling. During follow-up visits, the doctor will check the patient's vision, examine the new position of the eye and monitor the healing process. In some cases, eye muscle surgery is followed by poor vision in one eye accompanied by muscle weakness. In such situations, additional treatment is required to improve vision. This treatment can include eye drops, eye exercises, and a patch on the healthy eye or glasses.

Are There Any Risks Involved?

Any surgery or anesthesia involves certain risks and possible complications. These complications include infection, bleeding and unexpected reactions to the anesthesia. In addition, the eye muscle can sometimes be under or over corrected. In such cases, a second surgery may be needed.

The choice of a highly skilled surgeon is very important and it may pay to sit down with your physician to see who and what is available. There is always a risk of either under, or over correction for that matter, so this initial step is vital to your chances of having a successful operation.