My strabismus surgery
Written on November 2, 2005 – | by Lois (admin)
Several have asked how my strabismus surgery went. I had eye muscle surgery in May…lateral rectus recession. My eyes had been drifting a lot more prior to the surgery, and had become increasingly unstable and uncomfortable. It was difficult to hold a focus to read. My eyes are much more comfortable since the surgery, less tension, and I get a lot less headaches now. My eyes don’t drift as spastically as before surgery. They still drift though, especially at close range. I still can’t focus to read very long. My eyes look straight, but one eye sees things rotated slightly clockwise, the other slightly counter-clockwise since the surgery, and things appear higher with one eye than the other, so it was a bit of a trade-off I think.
My surgeon had told me at my one month checkup that I would likely need medial rectus resection in the fall. But when I went back last month, he didn’t seem to think that would help and made prism glasses instead. The prism glasses didn’t help either. Things were very distorted with them, and I saw two images of everything. (Update 11-15-05: I’ve since gotten prism glasses from my local optometrist, and I can see out of them much better. I have to hold things very close to my face to read with them, and can’t read for a long time like I’d hoped. But am trying to adjust to them so they will be more useful. I’ll keep you posted.)
I think if I had been able to get help sooner it may have been easier to turn things around. I’ve had strabismus over 50 years and it’s gradually gotten worse. One of my main goals with this blog is that others might find the help they need early. Not that I’ve given up. I’m grateful for the help I’ve gotten and continue to do vision therapy and work to improve my eyes. I’m learning that success may not be measured in whether I am able to read a lot again, but in what I’m able to make out of the vision I have at this point in my life.
[Update September 24, 2007: On April 12, 2007, I shared an update about my second strabismus surgery done on January 4, 2007. There are links in that post about problems I was having related to my first surgery in 2005. There is also a link at the bottom of that post to my June 23, 2007 post which updates my latest progress. I still have difficulty maintaining a focus to read. I still have difficulty finding things in a page, and I still have difficulty finding locations I’m not familiar with when driving. But I am thankful for the progress I’ve made. You can fill in the gaps of my story by clicking the Lois’ story link in the sidebar.]
56 Responses to “My strabismus surgery”
By george alexanian on Nov 16, 2005 | Reply
I have had strabismus since I was 2 years old in France. I had a high fever and it was customary to not give children anything to drink with a fever-what a tragedy. Since that time, I had my right eye turned inward. I had surgery when I was 11 in France, but did not do the exercises they recommended, so my right eye became progressively lazy, drifting outward. Now I am 59 and have decided to take care of it, but it will be pretty much for cosmetic reasons and self esteem since whenever I try to see out of my right eye I see double and the vision cannot be fuzed with prisms. I will have just my right eye done. How long did your procedure take, and did you have both eyes done? Did you have the adjustable procedure, and how straight are your eyes now?
Thanks for the info
George
By Lois (admin) on Nov 17, 2005 | Reply
Hi George,
I had both eyes done, my doctor didn’t use the adjustable suture technique for me. I think most surgeons prefer to do both eyes to align them together. The procedure took only a few minutes on each eye.
My eyes were straight to begin with but they drifted. They were becoming worse, more unstable. Before the surgery I could pull them together to focus, I just couldn’t hold the focus to read very long. I still can’t. Before the surgery my eyes had gotten so bad they were drifting almost spastically at times, that is better.
I’d recommend just talk to a vision therapy optometrist first to get both perspectives, and see if there may still be hope for getting the exercises to help regain some fusion. Then you can make a more in formed decision of which way to go.
I hope it all goes well for you!
Lois
By Yekta on Nov 18, 2005 | Reply
I have severe spasm of accomodation near 5 years, that atropine does not help to induced it too, following this condition my eyes get esodeviation and diplopia.
I use prism for this disorders with
By Yekta on Nov 18, 2005 | Reply
OD. 15 PRISM DIOPTRES and OS. 20 PRISM DIOPTRES (Base out) but I don’t like prism therapy and OU -4 FOR PSUEDO-MYOPIA. I wan’t to know am I good canidate for srabismus syrgery to relieve from diplopia as soon as possible.
Thanks a lot
Sincerely yours,
By Lois (admin) on Nov 18, 2005 | Reply
Yekta,
Check the links under Vision-related Organizations in the right sidebar to find eye specialists in your area. Get opinions from both an Ophthalmologist who can do eye surgery as well as an Optometrist that specializes in Vision Development. They can tell you what your options are and make recommendations.
Lois
By Lois (admin) on Nov 28, 2005 | Reply
[This comment is from Nelly K. by way of Lois (Admin)]
This is a comment for George:
Hi George, I believe i have a similar situation as you. I was 2 years old and my right eye turned inward (i fell). I had surgery when i was 5 years old in Armenia and after the surgery everything was fine for 5 years and then my right and left eye became progressivly lazy. At age 14 i had another surgery for both eyes for consecutive exotropia. My eyes were straight and beautiful only for 3-4 days and then all of a sudden it just started to separate again. After therapy and excercise i realized that i can pull my eyes back together but my vision was very blurry. Both of my eyes still have 20/20 vision. I started to use my own techniques and some people could never tell i had a lazy eye. But for 35 years i’ve had double vision and large angel (60 prism diopter) exotropia at both distance and near fixation with a small superimposed right hypertropia. I am a painist, you can’t imagine how hard it is for me to play the piano so therefore i just memorized my homework and played with my eyes closed. Now i’m 44 years old, and when i was in Russia my eye doctor told me that i could have cosmetic surgery but the double vision will stay with me all my life. Now i live in New York City and i’ve seen 4-5 different doctors and they all say the same thing about my double vision. Only one specialist recommended eye muscle surgery to establish normal ocular alignment and promote my long term binocular potential. i’m very suprised and happy, but either way i’m very scared. My surgery is December 1st. Maybe afterwards i’ll be able to give you more information.
Nelly K.
By Lois (admin) on Nov 28, 2005 | Reply
Nelly, sounds like it’s been really hard. Sounds like you’ve done well with what you have to work with, though, finding a way to play the piano and all. I hope your surgery goes well.
By Rev. James Miller on Mar 21, 2006 | Reply
I’m a 54 year old evangelist preacher with strabismus in the left eye. Sometimes it get hard standing in front of a crowd of people preaching! I see some can’t handle it and I know some are wandering what is he doing up there,like I don’t know about my eye! Some times I just want to quit, but The Good Lord has called me to spread the Gospel and I must listen to him rather than what others say. I say that if they came to look at my eyes , than they will miss the message!!! I’m considering surgery, will have to pay for it myself. I would like to ask anyone what do you see or feel during surgery? I will choose a local anastesia. I pray everyday for all who has this problem . Thanks and anyone can e-mail me if you wish. God Bless all who reads this message!!!
By Rev. James Miller on Mar 22, 2006 | Reply
Can anyone out there help me, I’m an evangelist with strabismus in the left eye. I am 53 yrs. old and had this problem since the age of 4 yrs.old. Was raised in a poor family without a dad, but a very good mom! It gets hard sometimes standing in front of a group of people knowing that everybody is looking at you,even some other preachers won’t allow me to preach at their church. I guess they are embarass of me. Well, I say this… if they came to look at my eyes, then they will miss the message! God has called me to preach, so I must answer His call. I’m considering surgery. The doctor said it would take about 20 minutes. My question is…. is there anyone out there that had this surgery answer please answer a few questions. (1) what do you see and or feel during surgery? I will do this under a local anastesia I pray every day for all those brothers and sisters of mine out there in this cold and cruel world with this same problem to have Joy & Peace! God Bless all who reads this. Anyone can e-mail at evangelistjimmymiller@yahoo.com
By Lois (admin) on Mar 23, 2006 | Reply
Rev. James,
Every situation is different, but I will try to answer your questions based on my experience. I had my surgery under local anesthesia, but with IV sedation. The plan was that I remain sedated through much of it. But I have a mild sleep apnea and they said I couldn’t breathe when they sedated me. They started waking me up as they were working on the first eye. Once they woke me up, I did feel some pain during parts of the surgery, but it didn’t last too long.
Before each eye was worked on, a lid retractor was placed in the eye to hold it open. Somehow it was secured so I was unable to move the eye that was being worked on. None of that was uncomfortable, though. I could see the surgeon above me. Mostly he was able to keep the instruments out of view, but at when he did have to bring some of them into view, he reassured me. He used a lot of numbing medicine so that I was not sensitive to having things touch my eye.
Hope this helps,
Lois
By Colin on Apr 4, 2006 | Reply
Well i got strabismus when i was 1 and im 21 now. One of my eyes looks outwards, one will alway be straight though. both are straight with glasses. I’ve been wearing glasses ever since, one thing i hated is having to grow up wearing thick glasses, but whatever. My eye sight was the biggest problem i face, i dont think i have that bad of vision except with reading small text or text far away. I dont know maybe i do have really bad vision but i have no idea what its like to have good vision. I didnt really care i had this problem til i was 14 when i went to get my learners license and failed the eye exam. Since than ive always been a little depressed over that, its hard. So i was wondering if there is surgery to improve my sight enough to get a license?
By Robert on May 3, 2006 | Reply
I am 57 years old and need strabismus surgery o the right eye that drifts outward. This is only for cosmetic reasons due to a childhood injury. Has anyone had the surgery using a local anesthesia?
By Claire on May 9, 2006 | Reply
I am 52 years old and am considering having repeat strabismus surgery. My first surgery was at age 20 which left my eye undercorrected and was given the option to have a second corrective surgery. I had a second surgery hoping this surgery would more closely correct the alignment of my eyes. The result was a major overcorrection resulting with very much of an outward turn and no chance for future corrective surgery.
Thirty years later I was given the opportunity to have strabismus surgery much to my delight as I never dreamed this was ever an option for me. I had surgery on my straight eye which was much more of a challenge as this surgery was being done on the domainent eye. This surgery corrected the turn 50 % leaving my lazy eye still turning out.
Now after Orthoptics testing and having the option for a third surgery on my lazy eye I am now trying to make the right decision for me. I would so love to look in the mirror and see my eye looking straighter. Can you give me any information which will help me to decide what to do. Also what about scar tissue from previous surgeries. I would appreciate any information to help me decide
By Kathleen on Jul 12, 2006 | Reply
Maybe I can share my experiences with stabismus surgery. I had cataract surgery 6 years ago, and because of the anesthesia shot placement I had partial parlesys of a muscle in my left eye. The result was diagonal dyplopia, which could be partially corrected with prism glasses, but not at all distances. Since I am a senior citizen, I wanted lasik surgery to correct acute near-sightedness. However, the Lasik surgeon would not do it until the dyplopia was corrected. My optmetrist found a surgeon on the west coast that has been highly recommended. He did the first surgery in Oct. 2005. There was very little discomfort. I was under anesthesia for the surgery, but they awakened me, had me sit up and the doctor adjusted the sutures while I read a vision chart. Then he sutured up the small incision they make. Some discomfort, but no pain. I went from the hospital to lunch, to an afternoon of shopping with a friend so you know it is not at all painfull. However, as the muscle healed, it attached itself to an underlying tendon and I went from 6 dyopters, diagonally up, to 14 dyopters in the opposite direction. I spent three miserable months, not able to see much of anything, until the second surgery could be performed. It was done, again with a minimum of discomfort. Because of the healing complications with the first surgery, it was difficult to get the exact muscle placement during the second. Now I have almost the same amount of dyplopia that I had originally. The surgeon and my local doctor both agree that a third surgery is necessary to obtain perfect or near perfect vision. I am willing to undergo whatever is neccesary for the proper correction. After years of perfect vision (I was extremely near sighted, but had excellent correction with first hard contacts that I tolerated very well, and then soft contacts with monovision) double vision has affected my way of life tremendously. I have trouble with my balance, (I am an equestrian and a golfer). Now I have multiple sets of glasses, over contacts, for near and far vision plus prisms. I am not going to live the rest of my life that way, and I will have surgery until it is corrected. Good luck to the rest of you, if you would like any further information, please contact me. Just remember, as we speak, more sophistication is being developed and better techniques are available for corrective surgery. Its a matter of finding the right professsionals that are capable, and having the confidence in them to persevere.
By Dawn on Aug 13, 2006 | Reply
I’m set to have strabismus surgery in 5 days. I’ve had this condition since I was little (I’m 25 now.) which I inherited from my mom. I’m very excited yet a little apprehensive as I really need my eye site as I am a nurse and have 3 small children (4,2, and 3 months). If anyone can help in easing my fears please reply back. Thank you!
By Lois (admin) on Aug 13, 2006 | Reply
I understand how scary it is. There are several who have recently had surgery or are preparing for it in a strabismus support group I am in:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/strabismussupport/
This is a general strabismus group. There are some really helpful folks there.
If you’d prefer strabismus support from a Christian perspective, some of us are just getting a Christian support group for strabismus started here:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/StrabismusHope/
You don’t have to be a Christian to join, anyone is welcome if they are looking for help from a Christian viewpoint.
I’m not able to be as active as I’d like in either group, because of my vision problems. But you will find some very friendly and helpful folks in these groups.
I will pray that all goes well for you!
Lois
By Gina on Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
Q: My son was 20 months old when he had a brain tumor removed from his cerebellum. Two months after the surgery, his right eye began to drift inward. We took him to Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon and he was fitted for eye glasses. He also has poor eyesight. The glasses correct his inward strabismus.
My question is we were told by the specialists at CEI and his local eye doctor that there is NO treatment for strabismus and that he will have to wear glasses forever. Yet I hear others discussing surgery?? Are there different types of strabismus’ that perhaps makes his in-operable?
My son is now almost 11 and hates wearing glasses. Contacts are not an option as they would be extremely expensive and we were told he wouldn’t see very well with them and I can’t justify paying $600 a pair when the end result would be poor vision.
Thank you in advance for any input, comments, information, etc.
By Lois (admin) on Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
Gina,
I’m no expert, so I don’t know if the damage to the brain due to the tumor or surgical removal could have caused a strabismus that cannot be corrected surgically. But if it has been 9 years, it would be worth seeing the doctors at Casey Eye Institute again to see if anything new is available. Certainly you should get a second opinion as well. Please look into Vision Therapy also. See the links in the sidebar under “Vision-related Organizations” to find specialists in your area.
Lois
By sandy on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Has any adult over 40 had a successful experience with strabimus surgery for an eye that turns in? Is it crazy to have surgery at this age? Will this cause the eyes to drift more? Thanks for any comments.
By Lucretia on Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
Hi, i’m 25 years old now and i’ve had strabismus for as long as i can remember. i was told that i inherited it from my mom who also has it slightly, now my borther’s first born son has it too so i guess it runs in the family, i don’t know. anyway i’ve been seriously thinking about getting this surgery done, because lately my eyes have been bothering me, and also for self confindence reasons. i’ve always felt very self conscious because of my eyes and can’t look people in their eyes because of it. well i wanted to know if it is corrective on someone at my age, i’m afraid that if i do this surgery it will only get worse. i have learned over the years to straigthen my eyes, u can’t tell that i have strabismus from looking at any of my pictures but i can’t hold them straight because my vision gets blurry. it’s mostly in my right eye, it’s like i can straigten my right eye but then the left turns out and when the left is straight then the right turns out. my left eye is i guess my stronger eye. i don’t know what to do
By Lois (admin) on Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
Our Strabismus Support Group may be helpful. You can talk with others who have strabismus about how surgery or other therapies have worked for them. See:
http://eyesapart.com/2006/10/25/strabismus-support-group/
By Lucretia on Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
how much does the surgery cost basically?…here in my country it’s around 1,000 U.S. dollars
By Martin on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Its been exactly a week since my strabismus surgery. I’m 34 years old and I’ve suffered from extopia for about the last 23 years of those. At least I never seen a picture of me cock-eyed before he age of 11. I had to have both my eyes done at the same time and I’m still in a bit of pain and the redness is only starting to go down but in truth its probably looks more painful than it is and I’ve a tendency to moan anyway ! I’ve had very little double vision and the surgeon tells me that everyone gets double vision with this but it goes away - he’d had only to revert one surgery in 25 years for a patient who couldn’t adapt. But I noticed the coolest thing today ;- I was actually looking people straight in the eye and holding their attention I wish I’d done this years ago ….
By antoinette on Feb 22, 2007 | Reply
I pray that all remains well with you
By Ally on Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
I was diagnosed with strabismus at 18 months. My family constantly pressured me to wear the coke bottle glasses, but I was a stubborn baby, so I never did. I think the reflecting light from the lenses came into my peripheral vision and was distracting. My left eye has always been straight, but my right eye drifted in. I had strabismus surgery on both eyes when I was nine. My eyes were perfect and I was finally happy to be able to make eye contact. Then, at 14 my right eye began drifting out. My doctor prescribed contacts, which I wore until I was 17 and no longer had insurance. I finally got insurance again two years ago. I went to a specialist and he prescribed extremely thick glasses, loaded with prism. When I put them on my eyes watered and I felt the skin on my forehead peel back. The doctor sent me on my way and told me I would adjust. I realized I had no depth perception as I tripped down the stairs exiting his office. That night I had one of the worst migraines of my life. I went back to the doctor and told him the glasses were giving me migraines. He sort of laughed at me, told me it was impossible and sent me on my way. I was depressed because I wanted surgery to correct the problem. After years of migraines and diplopia, I just wanted this to stop. So, this year (I am now 24) I found a doctor who specializes in strabismus, and wants to operate in May. He thinks the lateral rectus recession surgery will work quite nicely for me. I am not apprehensive about the surgery. My doctor is the head professor at the ophthalmology department at my university, so I feel as if I am in good hands. I have already lost a good deal of vision in my right eye, but with the surgery my doctor thinks the diplopia and migraines will go away. My advice for anyone who reads this blog is to be your own advocate. If you feel as if your doctor is blowing smoke or not giving you the right answers, find one who that is willing to listen. Don’t let a few years pass, thinking one guy was right because that’s vision you will have lost when your eyes could have already been corrected. After all, you have lived with the condition and are the expert.
By leslie jonas on Jun 16, 2007 | Reply
My daughter was born premature. She had what is commonly seen in premies, retinopathy prematurity, which corrected and stabilized while in the NICU. At 14 mos old, we discovered she needed glasses for her right eye. 20/20 in the left eye, 20/30 in the right eye. As she grew, her right eye developed intermittent exotropia. It apeared mostly when she was using long vision - her right eye would go out. We patched for 2 - 3 years diligently and it worked for only a month or 2 only to see that it would completely go back out. She then became a candidate for strabismus eye muscle surgery. Well, the best time to do this surgery is between ages 5 and 7 so, being the type A personality that I am, I chose 6 years old. Surgery went well only to discover that her early, post-op diplopia (commonly see after this surgery for upwards of 2 - 3 mos) never went away.
She was over-corrected (something they want to do a little of) to the point of crossing and thus suffers diplopia that won’t resolve.
After 10 mos of frustrating Ophthalomoly appts all over the city of Boston for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th opinions, one man wants to completely help her. A Pediatric Optometrist specializing in vision therapy and orthoptic solutions.
He cannot believe that she has been left like this. Noone at Children’s Hospital wants to deal with her diplopia now.
Imagine my discontent and frustration. My daughter now falls, broke her ankle 3 mos after the surgery, has diplopia most of the time and has a fear of heights. All since the surgery.
I will fight for her until this is resolved and we will find a solution. No child should be left like this and where is the medical accountability, ownership, sense of patient follow-up, resolution I ask?? I would fly to the moon if it meant that her Diplopia would be resolved. PLEASE HELP. WE NEED conservative pediatric medical support. Is there a surgery that will loosen the over-corrected muscle a bit? What are the risks?
thank you
By Lois (admin) on Jun 16, 2007 | Reply
Leslie, thanks for writing. You might want to join our Eyes Apart email strabismus support group. There are quite a few parents of children who have had strabismus surgery there:
http://eyesapart.com/2006/11/18/strabismus-groups/
By Deborah on Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Hello.
I had eye muscle surgery 3 days ago on my left eye. It drifted outwards when I was tired or actually whenever it wanted to. After the surgery, I was in a bit of pain. I had a bad headache and my eye was swollen shut. The swelling got worse the next day and today I finally got my eye to open. It was very bloodshot but the good thing was is that it is straight. I guess it takes about 6 weeks to see the final outcome, but the eye doctor says it looks good so far. I just want to be able to look at someone and not wonder if my eye is drifting outward. Ya know?
By karim on Sep 24, 2007 | Reply
Hi… Any updates from people who have did the corrective surgery?
By Lois (admin) on Sep 24, 2007 | Reply
I just updated my original post at the top of this page with links to the progress I’ve made!
Lois
By Gale on Oct 27, 2007 | Reply
I am 52 years old and had strabismus surgery on 8/30/07. I had severe double vision for the first 2 weeks following the surgery and persistent headache. My vision has cleared for the most part except driving is very difficult, anything where I have to turn my head or back up, head checks, etc. Also, pretty much every night the double vision returns when I am tired. Anyone have this same scenario and if so, what was the outcome.
By mike on Nov 4, 2007 | Reply
i have this eye deficiency (my left eye is turned inwards) since birth and had surgery only when i was entering college (16 years old). only my left eye underwent the knife so to speak and the doctor advised me to put a patch on my right eye after the operation so that the vision on my left eye would be “honed.” unfortunately this exercise made me nauseous and caused headaches so after only a few days, i decided to stop. now, ten years later, my eyes are like back to square one and i’m really contemplating on giving another surgery a chance. i’m currently working as a web designer/admin and i’m afraid that i might not get to do this job again once i undergo an operation. what do you guys think?
By Zuri on Nov 4, 2007 | Reply
Hi, my left eye turns outward and its been like that i think sincei was 8yrs old and now im 19. i was suppose to get the surgery done this past summer but my insurance ran out (chip program)i guess you could say, and its just been bothering because i just feel like i cant look people straight in the eye unless its my family or a close pesonal friend….i feel like im not good enough to be with anyone because of this problem that i have with my eye but anyway i just wanted to know how much the surgery would cost and if there is any type of insurance i could get that would maybe cover it??
By Tammy on Nov 6, 2007 | Reply
When I was 3 yrs. old I had the first surgery on my right eye. At that time the eye turned in; as the years progressed the eye eventually turned out. I had strabismus surgery in 2003 and the eye got a little better. I had 2 or 3 Botox injections after the surgery but they didn’t really do much. I saw a specialist today and we are going to try a 3rd surgery after the start of the new year. I am somewhat nervous about this (there is risk in any surgery) but am praying that this time it will do the trick. I will try to update after it is done. Wish me luck!!!
By Ben on Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
I’m 23 living in Australia and am undergoing my third surgery tomorrow (only on my left eye though). I was diagnosed before I was 1 year old, it was pretty obvious as I was born totally cross-eyed. I underwent two lots of surgery on both eyes before I was 1 year old.
I’ve never had binocular vision, I don’t see double, but when I purposefully align my eyes all I see is a blur unless I’m really close to something. I’ve almost perfect vision (which appears to be very lucky, as every other person I’ve met with Strabismus has had severe vision problems as well).
From memory I didn’t really have many problems with eye alignment until I was about 14-15 but eventually my eyes move outward. I assume it’s the same for everyone with the same condition: if you use your right eye, left eye turns out, left eye: right eye turns out. But it’s pretty severe now I’m assuming because I usually just use my right eye (even though vision in my left eye is better than my right).
Just a question while I’m talking about this, for some reason my parents were under the impression that when I use one eye, my other one “turned off”, but this has never been the case. Does this actually happen? For me it’s just like having massive peripheral vision, I can’t actually focus the eye not in use (maybe this is what the doctor meant and my parents misunderstood. I actually have impressive peripheral vision due to the misalignment).
I reached the point a couple of years ago where I was sick of saying Hi to someone who didn’t know me, and them searching over their shoulder wondering if I was looking at them, or hearing of people who had met me talking to my friends about “which eye they should look at”. I’m really just overly self-conscious, but I wonder whether I would be if I’d had surgery earlier.
It’s going to be under general anaesthetic. When I asked my doctor about it he pretty much rejected local anaesthetic, but it appears that everyone here seems to be having it done under local. I didn’t really like the idea of local anaesthetic anyway - just the whole instrument in view kind of thing, but if it’s only a 20-30 minute surgery it may have seemed like the better option as I’m now going to be at the place for 5 hours.
I’m just wondering about what kind of recovery times you guys encountered, and whether there was significant post-operative pain? Did you have to have anti-infection eye drops or anything like that?
By Lois (admin) on Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
Zuri, Tammy, and Ben,
I encourage you to join our Eyes Apart Strabismus Support group. There you will find a group of folks who have strabismus, many of whom have had surgery. It is a very active group, and you should be able to get the support and answers you are needing. You’ll find a link near the top right of this page. Best wishes in your surgeries.
Lois
By Crystal on Nov 9, 2007 | Reply
Hi I just wanted to ask a few questions, I do have insurance, how much do you pay after insurance? Do they take out your eyelashes when they do it? How long does it take? Are you in a lot of pain? Since your surgery how have things gone?
By Ben on Nov 9, 2007 | Reply
Day after surgery now and everything appears to be going well. Crystal: they don’t take eye lashes out at all.
Everything was painless. Was under for an hour and a half, and the surgery took about 40 minutes. My Anaesthesist gave anti-nausea drugs along with the anaesthetic so I didn’t feel sick at all afterwards (she said a lot of the feeling sick is due to the fact that it’s eye surgery, not the anaesthetic, but I felt perfectly fine either way). The nurses and Anaethesist explained everything as she went along, so it was very comforting as I haven’t had surgery since before I was 2 (hence I can’t remember it).
The eye that was operated on was scratchy when I woke up so they gave me panadol through the IV, and there was a little bleeding, but the eyepatch took care of all of that. Had an hour in bed, then an hour in a reclining chair, then they let me go. I had an eyepatch on from the time of my surgery to this morning when I had the post-op checkup. Now the eye patch is off, the eye feels a bit strained, and if I leave it open too long is stings, but I can see fine through it, and my Opthamologist said the eyes are extremely well aligned. I’m not expecting anything more than cosmetic results as I’ve never had binocular vision, so I’m very happy with the results so far. One thing I’ve noticed is that the eye is constantly tearing at the moment too, so I’ve had a tissue with me all morning.
I have to put eye drops in 4 times a day (1xdrop steroid, 1xdrop antibiotic) but other than that, nothing else so far.
So yes. All appears to be well. I’ll keep everyone updated.
By StreetChariot on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Hello. I have had the surgery twice in my life and am debating having it done again. I had it done when I was 8 to fix multidirectional drifting in both eyes (I was a test subject at the university med center for the five years prior.. Prisms, red/blue lenses, you name it.). My parents decided to have it done again when I was 15 to increase my depth perception a bit before I started driving…. Which I believe was a horrible idea. Ever since the second surgery I have a 5 degree tilt on my right eye and a 5% shift up on that eye as well. It has been painful for the last 8 years, and now that I have the money to get the surgery again, I am highly debating it.
I just worry that because so much time has gone by that it won’t fix anything, and I also worry that it will make it worse.
I notice I drive with one eye open alot, and read with one eye open also. I see fine looking up at everything. I look bad in every picture taken of me because I have to look up above the camera to see one of it…
Anyhow if anyone has had the surgery recently, and wouldn’t mind letting me ask them questions, feel free to contact me at BMOC311 on AIM, or StreetChariot on Skype or MSNIM
By Lois (admin) on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Crystal and StreetChariot,
See my post on Nov. 7 to Zuri, Tammy, and Ben.
Lois
By shelia on Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
I dont know what happen if I over strain my eye or what but I stayed on the computer alot with this guy so late to I guess I over used my right eye plus he upset me oneday felt like something under my eyelid was pulling or tearing apart.This all happen in august my right eye is showing more white of the eyeball and also I been told it somewhat out of alignment I dont like that at all.And I want it corrected.But I didnt know so many people had to go threw so many surgeries in their life.To I read this site.Also I dont want to lived with my eye out of alignment doctors say why u looking that way.Why so many surgeries though what happens the reason people have to go back for more?Anyway I cant stare at computer to long with my right eye it hurts.Any ideas on any of this im shelia_duncan2006 on yahoo
By Lois (admin) on Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Shelia,
The symptoms you describe of feeling like something under your eyelid was pulling or tearing apart are not usually experienced with strabismus (commonly referred to as lazy or turned eye.) You need to see an Ophthalmologist to find out exactly what is causing your symptoms and what is recommended.
To answer your question about multiple surgeries, eye muscle surgery for turned eyes is very precise, and difficult to get exact. Eyes tend to drift back to their previous position during healing, so doctors usually over correct. But it is difficult to know the exact amount of drift each person will have, as we all heal differently. Also a successful surgery may slowly drift over the years.
The first step is to see an Ophthalmologist who can determine what is causing your symptoms.
Best wishes,
Lois
By desperate on Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Hello. At first i want to sorry about my english, it’s wery bad.
So, i was born with stright eyes ( these looked like ) but about 5 years old my right eye turned in and litle bit down. [ but others can see only turning in ] now i have 18 and have nothing done.
but i want to talk about strabismus surgery.
my doctors says, that strabismus can be healed only by surgery and there is no way how to learn to watch with bouth eyes at one moment. do you all agree with that?
my strabismus is not so litle, that doctors can 100% say, that after surgery my eyes will be 100% stright. thats why i’am afraid.
so i want to know, is there anybody, who are interested to see with bouth eyes, and maybe there something about that on internet or on other places on earth.
or maybe my fear is unfounded?
By Tammy on Jan 17, 2008 | Reply
Update…I had my surgery this past Monday and am on the road to recovery. During the surgery my doctor discovered that a muscle had actually slipped since the last procedure so he “pulled it out” (ewww) and reattached it. The problem I am dealing with now is some double vision and the fact that my eye is now turning in slightly instead of out; Doc says this should straighten out as the swelling subsides and the healing continues. I am hoping he is right as I don’t see how I can drive like this…. I’ll let you know!
By Ted on Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
I’m 44 and just had surgery 2 days ago on both eyes. I first had it done for strabismus in 1969 at age 6, at which time the eyes were crossed (left is the weaker one and was crossed inward). Vertically, I’m crooked by 4 degrees but that’s never been noticeable. I wore glasses for 10 years and the eyes straightened and looked fine until I turned 40, at which point there was an over-correction causing the left to drift outward. I have never had proper depth perception even though I had 20/20 acuity in both eyes until age 40, at which point the left weakened a bit. Having never achieved occular fusion, I was okay until the 25 degree outward drift of the left became visually very noticeable to friends, family and co-workers and I stopped focusing or using my left most of the time. I experienced tunnel vision at night while driving and I finally decided to go the surgical route. The eyes are now straight again, and I don’t have double vision even though my surgeon warned me that I would as the brain struggled to compensate. However, apart from minor discomfort, I’m very pleased as I enter day three. The left is dry, sore and a bit puffier and I’m experiencing some blurring with it, but it seems to ‘track’ with the right all the time and is improving with each passing day. It remains to be seen whether the long-term benefits will hold steady, but at present, I don’t regret repeating the surgery and am excited about both the corrective vision and aesthetic benefits. I was nervous about it and put it off for 2-3 years (none of us is probably excited about having our eyes tampered with, right?). Still, if it holds for another 20 years, I’m fine with that. I’m going to try and do whatever vision therapy techniques are recommended to see if I can enhance the possibility of achieving binocular fusion, but even if I’m never successful with that, the other two benefits make me happy that I took the plunge with repeat surgery.
By debbie on Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
Who was your doctor and where did you have surgery?
By Yvette on Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
I’ve had strabismus since birth, has surgery at two, 21, botulin injections at 22 and finally adjustable sutre sugery at age 31..IT CHANGED MY LIFE> I finally could look myself in the mirror without feeling pure angst. I recommended gaining an appointment with Dr. Guyton at the Wilmer Institute at Johns Hopkins University for anyone, anyage who really wants a chance at cosmetic and visual symmetry. I am 37 now and feel I may need another surgery. I have scheduled an appointment and will see what the doctor says. I am my own worst critic and having alignment is important to me and my professional career. I need ot be able to look and feel happy. I hope this post helps everyone who is affected by this unfair condition. Do something about it right away. Don’t suffer the feeling that most people take for granted. It will change your life as well. I have and never really had any vision in my left eye therefore it turns inward. and now sometimes outward if I am tired. I wear glasses and contacts until I can get this thing fixed. When I have only one contact me, one eye is visually larger than the other. I pray this info helps!!
By Davies on Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
I 26 years old and have had strabismus for a long time now. I am contemplating surgery but I don’t have adequate insurance - does any one know how much this procedure costs? I really need to have this done. Thanks everyone.
By Hope on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
I am 28 and was going to get this surgery done when I was 26 at walter read in dc but back out because I was scared. I was born with strabismus never new I could have surgery on it till I was 26-I asked about it when I was 14 and was told no, that there was nothing they could do for strabismus. Well I am doing another refferal to Loma Linda University medical center and I am told I will most likely need 4 surgeries, it all makes me nervous but I can’t live like this anymore.
By Kia on Feb 24, 2008 | Reply
I am 27 and had strabismus surgery less than a week and a half ago. Strabismus surgery is the latest in a long series of surgeries I’ve had to endure in my left eye. The root of all this was a trauma-related retinal detached I suffered during college. It took 5 agonizing surgeries and a huge scleral buckle to get my retina to finally stick back on. I ended up with strabismus as collateral damage. Surprisingly, despite almost losing vision in my left eye, strabismus has affected me the most. Friends and family have been very supportive, but I must admit that having mismatched eyes completely ate away at my self-confidence. My only option was surgery. I was lucky enough to have insurance. So, I went ahead on Valentine’s day of all days. It was my big gift to myself. The whole procedure took 3 hours under general anesthesia. I had adjustable sutures and the doctor only operated on the outer corner of my left eye. Overall, there wasn’t too much discomfort. You get bloody tears for about 2 days afterwards. I’m now in that obsessive phase where I fight the urge to ask everyone I meet whether they see an improvement. The feedback has been positive so far. Apparently, when I’m relaxed and looking at people, my eyes appear straight. But, when I look at myself in the mirror, I have to be honest, my eyes still look crooked - not as much as before, but I wouldn’t call my left eye straight. This upsets me so much. I’m not sure what I expected from the surgery, I guess I thought after going through so much, I’d finally be able to close a chapter in my life. My husband who would never lie to me just to make me feel better swears that when I look at him, my eyes are straight. But, I just don’t see the same thing when I’m looking at myself. It’s so frustrating! Reading everyone’s stories has definitely helped me. Thank you.
By Manuela on Feb 28, 2008 | Reply
I am 45 years old and had perfect eyes until last August 07. I had a pituatary tumor surgery at the Navy Hospital in Bethesda MD, when th surgeon accidently nipped my right carotid artery. As they were trying to stop the bleeding , they damaged mt 6th cranial nerve. Since then I have double vision and my eye is turned in. The tumor was never removed. I have eye surgery next thursday at Walter Reed Hopsital. I am scared that another mistake will occur and I might not survive.
By lisa on Feb 29, 2008 | Reply
Has anyone ever had strabismus surger when there was a paralyzed eye muscle involved?i was born with constant strabismus(eye toward nose) i have an appt with an eye specialist march 26th..just wondering if anyone had a similar condition
By Christina on Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
I’m 22 years old now, and I have had 4 previous surgeries for strabismus. My left eye turns out and each surgery has been successful, but only for about 5 years. I’m in a professional school and am close to being finished. I’m worried my doctor won’t operate on me for a 5th time. I’m concerned that there is too much scar tissue and this won’t work. It is hard for me to focus on text and read. Unfortunately I’m a year and a half from graduation and I’m not sure how I’ll make it if he declines surgery. I’m wondering if anyone has had 4+ surgeries and if so, where? Also if these surgeries showed in success. Of course the social aspect bothers me, but at this point, I just pray for my vision for the next year and half to continue my education. I’ll worry about the cosmetic aspects at another time.
By kelley on Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
You did help me. Thank you.
By Terry on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply
I would love it if someone could tell me of a qualified othamological surgeon in the Chicago area or how to go about finding one that I can trust. I am 53 years old and have been told for years that nothing could be done for me. My brother, my sister and I have all been afflicted by stabismus since we were toddlers. My brother’s eyes were successfully corrected with surgery, medication and patching. Unfortunately, the doctors told my parents that my and my sister’s eyes were alright when they weren’t.
I desperately want to have something done. My vision is fine but the outward turn in my right eye is extremely embarrassing It seems to be getting worse with age. I have been an elementary school teacher for 19 years and have suffered the taunting and teasing of my students AND their parents. I. too am an minister and an evangelist. Once I was even teased in the church!
But for this problem, I am very, very happy and joyful person with many dear friends. Those people who know me love me.
I don’t take a lot of pictures though and run and hide when there is a camera in the room. I have gotten away with not taking school picture for about 5 years now, but this year I was forced to take one. I always tell the photographer about my eyes and we muddle through.
I am afraid that I won’t get married. I don’t want to embarrass my husband and have people talk about him..I dream of a wedding but wonder if I get married and have a wedding if I will have a beautiful album of photos like other brides.
I am looking desperately for a good surgeon.
Somebody please help!
By Rey & J on May 15, 2008 | Reply
Hello, I am really happy to have found this website, I cannot tell by words how grateful I am.
My husband and I are going through a lot now that we learnt our three year old daughter might have to do eye muscle surgery. We went for a second opinion and the same thing was said. We are planning to go to Montreal and hoping to it there. The second Doctor referred us to a female pediatric optomologist and said that she was very good. We learnt from both doctors that her vision is great but she is a bit far sighted. She has Esotropia where her eyes turn in alternately but whenever she looks straight ahead they seem straight. Her right eye tend to turn in more than the other but she is using both eyes most of the time and not depending on just one.
I am really praying to Almighty God for a miracle because the thought of our baby undergoing surgery is too much to handle right now. Is there anyone out there who can cheer me up by being honest with me and tell me please if I should be worrying as much as I am right now?
Is there a mom out there who had to make the decision of eye muscle surgery in their young child, can you please tell me the outcome and what to expect during and after surgery has taken place?
I appreciate your help…Anyone……Please tell me what to expect. I know her vision is fantastic but the surgery is to align the eyes properly so that they can work together and not just for cometic reasons.
thank you everyone for your assistance. I do appreciate it.
Rey & J