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.]
Concerned mother:
I had strabismus surgery when I was 11 in France in 1956. I was told to go for eye exercises, which I did not do because we came to the U.S. and could not afford them anyway. In addition, using both eyes caused double vision, so I continued to suppress vision through my right eye. For these reasons, I did not do the eye exercises. Remember that eye muscles are just that. They probably need to be exercised to keep them strong. In my case, the neglect led to gradual drifting outward over the next 50 years. If the strabismus is very noticeable, I recommend you do not put your son in the position of being made fun of. I went through it. My cousin’s daughter was born with strabismus and she had surgery around 1 year of age. She is out of college now and beautiful with straight eyes. They did not drift over the years. I do not know if she did eye exercises, but I am guessing she did.
My right eye was out 25 degrees. I don’t know how that relates to diopters, but it was a lot. He said he couldn’t do much more this time for fear of putting too much stress on the muscle. He said the muscle would adapt to the new placement and the next surgery will be easier. I go back the 6th for the final follow up and a possible second surgery scheduling in the Spring. My right eye is mostly suppressed, but I have near perfect vision in it when I use it. The Dr. said that this was unusual and it should make my surgeries easier. I don’t know why. If mine appeared straight I would be ecstatic. I will forge ahead and face each obstacle with the strength that comes from a lifetime of hiding from the staring eyes of others.
Billy:
Sounds like you are healing normally except that you do not like the results. Unless there were other conditions, I do not buy your doctor’s reasoning. To be fair, my doctor also said she could not guarantee results or complet satisfaction, but assured improvement. In my case, eventhough my right eye was the only one operated on, my surgeon held my left eye muscles that has always looked normal in place mechanically during the procedure to correct the large deviation in my right eye. I do not know where you live, but I am in Fresno, California if you want a different surgeon the next time unless your eyes settle better, which my doctor said could happen, and I have read in some cases they might. In my case, there was not much settling. I am about 4-6 out, I am told, but I cannot tell. You will know within a month. Eye exercises and prism lenses may help. They say it helps, but I cannot recommend patching your good eye. I tried it and my right eye straightened by itself instantly when I used my right eye only. But after a couple of months of doing this, my right eye went out even more when I used my good eye. That is when I gave up and opted for surgery. You may try to patch your good eye for a moment and see if your lazy eye straightens up. If it straightens by itself then I think the muscles can be adjusted properly. But as I said, do not do it for long periods of time. Your situation may be different in that my right eye had been lazy for 60 years. I know you are disappointed, as I would be, but it has improved, and you know it can improve to your satisfaction. I will be out of touch for the rest of the week after tonight.
Hi! I just had strabismus surgery 12 days ago and at the age of 43 I am happy to say it was a success! I have had three childhood surgeries that left me with hyper and hypotropia as well as exotropia. In other words I have vertical and horizontal misalignment in BOTH eyes. My misalignment was very, very severe, with one of my eyes rolling all the way up to the ceiling. I underwent the adjustable sutcher proceedure and it was not pleasant, but not horrible either. Just a little unnerving!
I have a blog that follows my recovery at http://www.seeing3d.blogspot dot com. I feel so incredibly lucky. Now I am on to the most important part of my recovery and in three days i begin Vision Therapy again (I did it for a year before surgery) with a COVD certified vision therapist. The surgeon aligned my eyes beautifully, but he can’t teach me how to use them! Now I have to train my brain to accept the world out of two eyes with exercises.
George- I had my surgery in Birmingham, Alabama and the surgeon did not use adjustable sutures. Since the day of the surgery my eye has not moved at all. It is exactly where he left it. He is waiting until the first of the year to see how it looks. I am certain there will be another surgery. The next time I am not letting him touch my good eye.
Heather- Congratulations on your surgery! I am glad everything went so well for you.
Hello..
I undewent my first and only surgery on May 26, 2006. My right eye always “veered” outward since I can remember, there is a feeling one gets as the eye slides away and whatever we’re looking at seems to split into two… At the time of my surgery I was 38 years young, the surgeon/opthomologist game plan was too shorten the inner eye muscle of my right eye and eventually the eyes will retain their alignment. Unfortunately this didn’t happen, don’t get me wrong, anyone looking at me will swear on the bible that my eyes are straight, and I’m sure they are, the problem is what my eye is actually aiming at, my right eye aims about half an inch to the left causing me constant double vision. I’ve return to several other eye specialist, both Fresnel and grounded prisms were attempted, but all resulted in distorted/blurry vision without being able to unify/fuse the images.
I’ve resorted to patching the right ( amblyophic eye ), but those pirate patches are sticky/hot/uncomfortable, so I moved on to putting black tape on a clear eyeglass lens, I guess it’s the “New age pirate look”…
It’s been almost 4 years w/ this “New look” and I’m hoping advances in technology will come within my life time, until then I feel all we can do is support each other with a little compassion and take it one day at a time.
Heather:
I am also glad all went well with your procedure. Make sure you take the drops religiously to keep infection and inflamation away.
Billy:
I did not go out of town after all. Keep us posted on your progress and next step.
Concerned Mother:
How is your son doing? I assume he had his procedure Monday or Tuesday. Remember his eyes will be very red and very sensitive to light for at least one to two weeks. Make sure he takes his drops.
perfumed – who was your surgeon? if you would rather not post here, please email me at turtleeater18@yahoo.com
Random update on my situation-The eye that was out the most has started drifting back to where it was before the surgery. I am not happy about this at all and I am afraid it might go farther this time. The headaches I used to have are back and my quality of life is at an all time low. The surgeon is going to get an ear full when I go back in January.
Billy
If there is another specialist in strabismus surgery in your area, I would get a second opinion before you see your last surgeon.
David:
If you follow this blog, you know that I am 63. I have had double vision since I was 2, so I did not expect to have binocular vision. Like you my eyes look perfectly straight, but if I use my right eye, I see double also. My doctor told me that I may see double as part of her “cautions” before the surgery. In my case, I have not used my right (corrected) eye for 60 years so suppressing its vision to not see double was not difficult. During my post op visits, they told me my right eye was out about 5 diopters, which looks straight, but causes me to see double if I use my right eye. When I had my first surgery done in France in 1956, they told me to get eye exercises to strengthen the muscles and not see double. I never did them. Ask your surgeon if this may work for you.
I just read your post. Call the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and look to Dr. JM Holmes for who would be good in your area. He just did mine and mine was quite difficult as I have had 4 previous surgeries. I didn’t think anyone could help me and was pleasantly totally surprised. Just go to the Mayoclinic.com and find his contact info.
George! I had a similar experience. Just had my 5th surgery and never thought I’d be able to see like this. I’m 36 though. I think about how grateful I am about 3million times a day. I want to call the surgeon daily and thank him but that would be annoying so instead I just say a little prayer to God to thank him for my eye last eye dr. I never dreamed this would be fixed. Isnt’ it great?
i have been reading these comments about this surgery ,, i am thinking of having this ,, but to be honest ,, i am a bit afraid ,,
i am 20 years old ,, and i read that the chances of having perfect results is not that high , thus i want u guys to tell weather i should get it or not ,,
i have had normal vision since i was young ,, but then ,, when i turned 19 my left eye started feeling weird ,, n i started having blurry visions ,, then suddly i losted vision in my left eye ,, n recently ,, this eye ,, started to drift outwards ,, i started feeling weird , cz i look diffrant ,, then i consulted one of the eye Drs n he said that i should get this surgary ,, So ,, would u please provide me of the results from ur own exeriances ?~ i mean ,, should i get it or not ?! =(
i have been told that having surgery to correct starbismus with one lazy eye doesnt have gurantaeed prognosis as the eye might drift out again in several years…anyone has expereicne about this >?
Greta:
I am so pleased you have had a similar experience as I have. I still cannot believe that I can look people straight in the eye for the firt time in 60 years and not see others avoid eye contact, and in some cases snicker.
Nona:
I know how you feel. I was afraid to do the procedure for 20 years, until I could not take the feeling anymore. My surgeon talked me out of it about 7 years earlier by saying she could not guarantee perfect results, only improvement. She also said I may have double vision. She said that my eyes could resume drifting. Also she said that she needed to do both eyes to improve chances. Finally, she told me that I was out 45 diopters, which is about as much as can be. About 3 years ago, I was scheduled, but chickened out. In my case, when I was 2 years old, I had a high fever (my mother told me years later when I asked her) and my eye turned suddenly and very noticeably. I saw double, so I suppressed my vision in the turned eye and have ever since. I do know how I felt when this happened because I was two. I do not know if this was the same as you. I think you should have an opthomologist check to see if there are other issues with your eye that caused the loss of vision. AS I have said before, everyone is different. Do you still not see through your bad when you cover your good eye or is it blurry? Ask your doctor if in his experience strabismus surgery will not only provide cosmetic relief, but vision improvement. After my strabismus surgery, I did cataract surgery in both eyes, and I guess I had these cataracts for 50 years or more because I always had thick glasses until now. Make sure that if you pick your surgeon, you get recommendations from your primary doctor and your opthmologist and references from patients who have had this procedure done. Do not rely upon certificates or diplomas. Keep us posted.
Honey
I had the strabismus surgery when I was 11 in France in 1956. My right eye was undercorrected, but better than before. I was told then that unless I did eye exercises to correct the remaining mis-alignment, my right eye would drift. I did not do the exercises. By the time I was 21, looking at my pictures,my right eye had drifted to the point that they looked straight. Over the next 40 years my right eye drifted out significantly and at 62, I had my second strabismus surgery. I was also told that everyone is different in that some eyes drift, some do not after the procedure. Also, I was told that if I have both eyes done together, there is a better chance of good alignment. I chose to only have the lazy outward eye done. The doctor held the other eye in place so it did not move during the procedure, but did not cut the muscles in my good eye. I had the procedure 14 months ago. So far so good. That is my experience. I hope it helps.
thanks for your reply george
im shecduled for a second opinion on 21st Jan and i will see an opthomologist and a surgeon to have complete opinion, i think i will go ahead with the third surgery if they recomend it for me as i had 2 suregries when i was a child and the results were perfect until lately, im 34 now and the lazy eye started drifting out again..
i have another question for you, from your past experience,do you recomend local anaethesia for the surgery ? and how long was your recovery period i mean the redness to dissapear ?
Honey, I have to say in my case it is being put to sleep that is scary, not the procedure itself. However, upon the doctor’s extensive experience (over 20 years) with thousands of procedures completed and former patient references, I went along with general anathesia. I told her that with a former different surgery, I had chills when I woke up. So they accounted for that in the anesthesia. I had no pain, but my eyes (even the unoperated one because it was held in place) were very red. I went for my post-op the next day and asked if the extensive redness was normal, and the doctor said it was and that she was satisfied with the results. I could see too well (I also had cataracts in both eyes at the time) to see the results for myself, so I thought I was overcorrected. She assured me that was not the case. After a few days, the redness decreased. In two weeks, the redness was reduced by about 90%, and I could see for myself that the results were good. I was prescribed pain medication, but did not need it. The hardest part was putting in my three different drops three times a day, each a few minutes apart. Because of my cataracts, it was hard to get the drops in the right place, so I had my wife help me at home and my secretary at the office. I went to work the next day after the surgery. I had to wear the special sun glasses they gave me as bright lights were very bothersome. When you put your drops in, turn off the lights above you. I had to use sun glasses outdoors for about a month. In about a month, the redness was completely gone. My one month checkup showed that my right eye was out about 5 diopters. Before the surgery, it was out 45 diopter, which is about as much as can be. Up to 10 diopter, they cosmetically look straight, I was told. A few months later, I had cataract surgery in one eye, then the other a few months after that. I was glad to find this site before this procedure and it was helpful even though not all experiences were positive. There is nothing like personal experiences to guide us. This site helped me so that is why I want to share my experience and give out the cautions. I know I blog too much on this site, but I have never blogged on any other site. My strabismus had been such a psychological burden for me for nearly 60 years, that I am very passionate about it and want to give back to this site. Any othe questions? I hope others can share their experiences with you as well.
Hi everyone!
I am so glad I found you. I just had surgery in November. It has been six weeks and my eye looks great. I have had so many moments of doubt. My family has been very patient, as I constantly ask them: “Is my eye crossed? How about now? Now?” I take pictures of myself from my telephone and just can’t believe that at 40, my eyes are finally straight. Although having ‘crossed eyes’ my whole life was a huge part of my interior world. I never spoke of it, acknowledged it, or shared with anyone the shame I felt. After the surgery I started talking about it for the first time. My family was shocked and so upset at everything I went through on a daily basis to try to have social interactions. I thought one little observation might be helpful to some of you, and I have a question as well:
1. I have to change old established behaviors. I am so used to spending all my energy on putting my eyes somewhere to avoid eye contact. It is incredibly uncomfortable to look at someone in the eyes, even today. I have to tell myself “It’s ok, your eyes are fine.” then I relax and look at someone’s face. I hold their gaze and look for their reaction. The great thing is, there is none! They are not searching for my eyes, or looking confused, or anything other than having a conversation with me. I am slowly learning to stop worrying and assume that my eyes are now straight.
2. I do not know how to really look at someone in the eyes. I don’t where the eyes actually go, and noone with two working eyes has been able to really describe it to me. I end up ‘switching’ between the two eyes, kind of back and forth. I guess I will land on something comfortable for me eventually. I try to focus on not doing the old behaviors, like turning my head, or crossing my right eye to try to make the left eye turn outwards. I want this to be a conscious process, rather than an unconscious one, so I am practicing putting my right eye directly across from the other person’s left eye. This is a big exercise!
3. My left eye is still a little red in the corner and has flesh (scar tissue?) over where the suture was. Has anyone had this experience? Can I expect the redness and the lump to completely disappear? I hope so.
Anyway, thank you all for taking time to share. I am feeling so great about having this part of my life out in the open after all these years!!!!
Mija
Mija:
Thanks for sharing your experience. As you know, I put up with the same feelings as you for 60 years. I used to not look at people’s eyes because I was self conscious and also because I knew it made them uncomfortable. I had to look slightly away from them or down below their eyes. I suppose some women thought I was looking at their chest, and that made me feel bad to think that is why I was not looking at their eyes. No one would mention it to me, but I knew because outside my family and my best friends, no one looked into my eyes. Sometimes I would see people looking back and snickering with the person they were with. I felt awful about it. More than a year later, I am still amazed at the difference in how I feel about myself and how others react to my new “look”. For the first time in virtually my entire life, I feel normal. My operated eye was very red the first week, and much better after 3 weeks. I think it took about 2 months before all the redness completely went away. Take all your eye drops until they are finished! I was determined to put my eyes to the test after 2 weeks by looking straight into other’s eyes and like you, they looked straight back and kept looking. I was so relieved and mentally distracted by this new feeling that the first couple of times I talked to someone eye to eye I did not remember what they said or what I said-whoops!
Yes! Don’t put it off, just bite the bullet and start doing your research. You’ll need someone who specializes in Adult Strabismus. I had a great experience at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. You can find their info. on the web. Mayoclinic.com simply call and ask who they would recommend in your area.
Hey Everyone. I am currently a Senior at my high school, and since last year something funky has been going on with my eyes. In my junior year I noticed my right eye had begun to drift upward, but didnt think anything of it…I sorta thought it would fix itself? but as the year progressed I noticed ppl looking at me funny, and even looking behind them while i was talking to them. =[ My confidence took a serious nose dive…. So fast ward, during the summer 2009 I begam to see double?! ??? And have noticed my left eye going inward. This year, senior year I have been having loads of trouble with this. I find myself squinting at people, and not talking at all…… =[ I can even look in the mirror anymore. I really would like to get surgery, soon possibly before I start college in the fall. Could someone who has had surgery please contact me, via email: llbabygirl4ever@aol.com I would appreciate It. Also does anyone have an idea why this would happen over the course of two years??
Lastly, I’m going to the DMV next month when i turn 18, and was wondering would my condition hender me from optaining a driver’s license?
Thanks for reading this, Have a nice day you guys
Olivia:
There are four muscles that control the positioning of each eye. Up and down, right and left. I think they can all be corrected in one or two procedures. You can read my recent posts and see what I went through until I had the surgery last year. I could not look at myself in the mirror either. My condition was my right eye going out 45 diopters and seeing double if I used both eyes. Others have posted their conditons, feelings, and experiences as well. My right eye turned suddenly when I was two when I had a high fever. It can happen that fast. Do not panic. Within one month of the surgery (if your surgeon is good) your eyes should be straight again and the redness of the surgery gone. Do not suffer as I did for 50 years. Insurance will usually authorize the procedure if your doctor tells them it is not just for cosmetic reasons. That should keep your cost down.
George,
i have applied for 12 days leave from my work to have my operation done in February, my concern now will i be able to go back to work after 12 days without too much red eye ? i mean will the redness reduce within this period because i dont want to go to office with red eye since no one knows iam going for an operation…and second thing is im so scared of general anaesthesia and would really like to know if anyone had done this operation under local anaesthesia and how did it go ?
im 15 years old i also had two brain tumors removed at a very young age. I also have strabismus, and nastagmus. There is really no vision in my right eye. my doctors have also said there is no cure. I’m not going to give up though because i also hear about other surgeries people have been having.
Hi,
Can these exercises be done by anyone with no harm?
Also, are there any other exercises that can be done. Do you know any websites/books etc.. that demonstrate these exercises and the likes?
Thanks
The exercises I am referring to are the ones mentioned by theo
”
follow this exercise to correct your left eye moving outward. early morning open both eyes wide, look upward as hard as you can for 30 seconds, then look down as hard as you can 30 seconds. second look straight both eyes as if your angry as hard as you can for 30 seconds. third move both eyes 360 degrees from left to right 30 seconds. do this am/pm for a week. you will feel and see the good results.
“.
Mo, I strongly encourage you to see a vision therapy doctor for a consult. See “Find a vision thereapy doctor” in the menu of this page and every page of EyesApart.com.
Strabismus takes many forms, and exercises that help one person can be harmful to another. The exercise you mention above sounds pretty generic to me for good range of motion and keeping the eye muscles flexible. My VT doctor prescribed something similar for me to do as a sort of warm up to the rest of my vision therapy routine.
But if you want to do it right, you need professional help. At least get a VT consult. My VT doctor supplied me with some paper graphics and cards and special blue/red glasses, with instructions how to use it all. I practiced with these at home. I also did vision therapy at her office, and that is the best way to get results. When computer programs became available, she prescribed one of the HTS programs for me to use at home
http://www.visiontherapysolutions.net/index.html.
Therapy in a VT office or under VT guidance at home is the best way to do it. But if you are wanting to just do simple exercises on your own at home, at least see a VT doctor and get the right exercises for you!
Lois
Thanks Lois for your reply.
Unfortunatly we don’t seem to have any vision therpy doctors or clinics here in New Zealand.
How much do they charge per session in the states? Is it worth it going to the states to do a checkup?
Thanks
Mo
Mo, I clicked “find vision therapy doctor” link on the right menu of this page, then to the pull down menu “new zealand,” and clicked “go.” I got this page:
http://www.covd.org/DoctorSearchResults/tabid/69/Default.aspx?adv=1
It might now work from the link above, since it is a search page, but if not just follow my steps above.
Also I encourage you to join our Eyes Apart email support group. See instructions at the top right area of this page. You can talk with people who have experienced vision therapy through the email group. Dr. Ken Koslowe, who does vision therapy and research in Israel, often responds to questions in the group as well.
Lois
Oh it works now. Found a few places. Thanks a lot Lois. Much appreciated.
Honey:
I attended a trade show where I was in a booth about 2 weeks after the procedure. So I was also very concerned. In my case, about 12 days after the procedure, the redness was about 70% gone and I did not have a self conscious issue. Of course, everyone is different. But think about it. I bet you will feel much better with straight eyes and not worry so much if any redness remains. Also, I was also very afraid of general anesthesia because of losing control. But you know what, since that procedure 15 months ago, I have had three more general anesthesia procedures and I guess I am used to it. But I will say this: You are absolutely doing the right thing in getting a second opinion, and do not forget to get patient references. Once you have decided on your surgeon, ask him/her if they will be using an anesthesiologits they normally work with and how long they have used that person. (not a standby anesthesiologist, one who has done many strabismus procedures). Tell the anesthesiologist that you do not want the shivers as you wake up. They can compensate for that and nausia. Also ask them how long you will be out and how long the recovery will take. Once you have all these answers, you will feel much more comfortable if your surgeon recommends general anesthesia.
thanks alot george…your answer was very detailed and helpful
Honey:
I do not remember if you said one eye was out or both. Even if just one eye is out (or in), your surgeon will probably recommend doing both at the same time for optimum balance. In my case, my right eye was out 45 and my left eye was straight, but I did not want the surgeon to cut the muscles in the good eye because it was my only good eye for vision. I did not want to take any chances with my good eye. So she held the good eye in place mechanically while she adjusted the muscles in my right eye. One other thought, if your surgeon strongly recommends general anesthesia, that is probably because she is used to working under these conditions with her anesthesioligist. If the surgeon is well experienced and successful in doing strabismus procedures and uses the same anesthesiologist,I recommend you do not change her routine by insisting on a local. With general, I think I left about 4 hours after I walked into the surgery front office door. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I hope others will share their experiences as well. Write down all your questions before you see the potential surgeon. Keep us posted.
i have had strabismus for as long as i could remeber. and as i grew, i began to notice how people would stare at me or look over their shoulders as i talked to them..which led me to stop looking people straight in the eye…i developed a technique where i stood in an angle such that my good eye was visible. but still some people were able to notice it. at times am able to realign my eyes briefely..i get good vision when i do this bu my eye(right) drifts outwards after….but i have had to develop this technique so much that many people dont notice it, thats until they know me a little more better and notice i don’t look at them straight in the eye.
-i have grown tired and this and gave up on myself…i despised people who looked at me in the eye…my dating life is sketchy meaning i havent had that many dates…i dont have insurance but i know if i save up i may afford the surgery.
i talked to a doctor once and he straight out told me that there was nothing they could do “theres nothing that can be done, this is how u are wired, you should learn to accept this” i was really heart broken, but i didnt give up…i went to another eye doctor who refereed me to an eye surgeon..who am goin to see in 7 days…am just worried i wont have enough money for the procedure.
on average how much does it cost..thank you
Dear all,
My name is Andrea, 33yrs lady from Singapore.I am gladed to come across this forum before my operation and have information on understanding Stabismus.
After seeking 2nd opinion. I decided to have my Bilateral Eye Squint Surgery (with adjustable suture on right eye). It was done on 25th Jan at a private hospital Day Surgery under GA.
There is not so much of pain after the surgery, but rather more of the bruises and soreness of the eyes. A friend helped me home after that.
The next day on 26th, went back to my specialist for eye cleansing and final procedure on tightening the suture on my left eye. The anaesthetic drops help to make it painless.
I am given 2 week hospitalization leave (stay home) and need to go back to my specialist for review next Tues.
Now my eyes can open abit, will need more time for the sore and bruises around the edges to fade away. And first time in my life I can see with both eyes look align. I am taking everything slowly step by step.
WOW what a great blog. Wish i had found this before my op. I had both of my eyes operated on about 37 years ago when i was 7 but over the years my right eye has drifted outwards. I spent most o my adult life feling very conscius of my eyes and never looking people in the face. I tried to get this sorted out however i was told that adults were not able to have this done due to the brain not being able to adjust to the new eye position??, i eventually found a good surgeon who would listen to me and he tried botox injections in my eye first(not that bad…honest)to temporarily straighten my eye to see if i would experiace double vision etc, This went well and he decided to do the op and make it permanent. SO I had My right eye done on the 18th Jan 2010 using adjustable sutures. The op was easy as it was under GA. The adjustments were made later the same day using lots of eyedrops to numb the eye. Not painful but a little uncomfortable. I’m 2 weeks on now and the redness is starting to go, as is the pain i was experiancing when turning my eyes to the extreme left. Got my post op appoinment for Tuesday so hopefully all will be ok. Its GREAT looking in the mirror and seing both eyes as they are supposed to be. If you are thinking of having this done GO FOR IT!
Brian
Brian:
Nice to hear of your good results. I was 62 when I had it done in Oct 08. In my case, I developed a lazy eye when I was two at the same time as my right eye went out after a high fever. Today, whenever I try to use both eyes, I still see double. In the sense of double vision, I was also told I probably would continue to have double vision, and I do. However, I was so self conscious of my appearance that it was worth to do the procedure. If you go back on this blog, I have numerous posts of my experience and feelings. You are never too old to have the strabismus surgery done for cosmetic reasons. Correcting double vision is another issue. They may be right about that.
George
Got my post op appointment tommorow so i will feedback the results tommor for anyone interested.
You are right, you are never too old for this. I just wish that all the medical proffesionals had not kept telling me otherwise. I’ve developed a very low confidence in mysel over the years becase of this BUT Just in the 2 weeks i’ve had this done I look people in the eye and hold conversations with them with TOTAL self confidence ITS amazing how good i feel. As far as double vision is concerned Im very lucky, for a few days after the op i was getting flashes if moved my eyes to the extreme right(the right eye i had the op on) but it seems to have settled down. I do get the occasional flash of double if im tired and in the last week that has only been 1 or 2 times at most. My right eye has never been my strong eye, i see ok out of it when i close my good eye but i suppose the brain has always just ignored that eye and my left eye has been the dominant one, since the op it feels like the right eye wants to join in which feels a bit odd. After saying all this it does not effect my normal life in anyway, i can still read, I work in ICT with no prblems and drive my car, still cant play squash though
Brian
Hi George,
i will follow your advice on general anaesthesia, im just worried of the nausia and vomiting afterwords…
my surgery is shceduled on 16th of this month, i will keep you posted when its done..and i hope i wont need any furhter surgeries in future as this is my third one
i have 2 concerns which you may help in
1st is after having three surgeries, the scars or flesh wont be very visible at the corner of my eyes since its oprated three times ?
2nd concern, will the results be more premenant after the third surgery ?
thanks for your support
Honey:
My surgery in 2008 was my second (first in 1956!). My surgeon told me she may have some issues with the old scarring, but after the procedure she said there was no problem. With your third, I do not know. I think in a much earlier blog by others they had three procedures who can tell you better about their experience with this question. As far as the anasthesia, nausia and the shivers when you wake up can be compensated for with the anesthesia given. Ask about this. Again, make sure the anesthesiologist has a lot of experience with this type of procedure with your surgeon.
Brian:
How did your post op go?
George
It went great thanks. Doc was very pleased with results especially as i have not experienced much double vision, so far this has only happened on about 3 occasions now and ALL late at night when im tired. My eye is a little sore still and a bit sticky, which the doc says is because of the stitches and its just a sort of mild reaction to them that will subside when they disolve away SO hopefully it wont be that long before they are gone.
Feeling Good at the moment, life long quest to get this done and here i am
Anyone need any help/Advice encouragement then feel free to give me a shout i will do my best to help. I do have a few photo’s of my eye from straight after the op and more recent ones to compare if anyone is interested.
Brian
Your story is enlightening – thanks! One question – how long was it until you felt comfortable driving? My surgery is Friday – both eyes and a bit nervous. Please reply to my email jam81@prodigy.net
Thanks
What a great blog to stumble upon!
I am turning 30 this year and I feel like my condition is getting worse — my left eye turns outwards and I have high prescription in both eyes.
I’m feeling more self constious than ever.
I am just now researching my options for surgery, and I am very encouraged by what I have found so far, so thank you everyone above who have contributed information and recounts of personal experience.
I hope the poster above, Andrea from Singapore, still visits this forum. I would love some feedback on the surgeon/hospital that did her procedure.
It has been a while since I have visited due to no internet access. I am going in for my second surgery March 2nd. I am more nervous about this one than the first one. It really helps to read all the positive results others have experienced. Previously the Dr worked on the outer muscle to allow the muscle to pull in(it is turned out)and hopefully align. It did not and the next surgery will be on the inner muscle. I hope the results are better this time. My right eye did continue to move as much as 2 months after the surgery. It is a little over 1/3 closer to being straight. The redness took about 2 months to pass. I am taking 4 days off of work for this surgery. I hope all goes well.
Billy:
Nice to hear from you again. I remember your concerns from your last procedure. My understanding is that you need at least two muscles done in one eye at one time for acceptable results. Because your surgeon only did one muscle the last time, I am not surprised that he needs to do the other. I had my surgeon do the two outer muscles of my right eye done while she held the left eye in place. My right eye was out 45 diopter, which is about max. My surgeon said that she would do the max she thought the muscles could be adjusted, so she used no adjustable sutures.
Arlene:
I was able to drive to work two days after the surgery. You will need to wear the special sunglasses over your regular glasses because the bright light outside will hurt. Also, when you use your drops, do not look straight up into lights in the ceiling. Your eyes will be very red for one week, then the redness will be reduced by about 70% in two weeks, and be gone in about one month altogether. Make sure that you use all the drops religiously.
Ana:
I know as well as most everyone else with strabismus conditions about the self-consciousness. I was 62 when I finally had it done after procrastinating for years. I finally could not take it any more as I could not even look at myself in the mirror, so how could I expect others to look straight into my eyes? Make sure you get patient references from patiensts and that the anesthediologist is used to working with your surgeon on strabismus surgery. Hopefully, your surgeon has done many adult procedures. Children’s procedures are more common.
George-I am glad you are still here to provide hope and support for the visually conflicted. I have decided this will be my last surgery regardless of the outcome. I just don’t have it in me to go through it again.
Hi, I hope you dont mind me butting into your thread. Been looking at the net trying to find people who are going through this. I have very poor vision in my right eye (was born with this) therefore my brain does not use this eye resulting in an out-turned squint. I had sucsessful surgery when I was about 4 years old – this was for cosmetic purposes only, it worked but my eye still wandered a bit when I was tired.
About 7 or 8 years ago I noticed my eye was turning out all the time & was very noticable, I suffered in silence, never spoke to anyone about it & just avoided eye contact. I met my now husband just over 4 years ago & after about 4 months of us dating he just came out with “stop trying to hide your eye from me, I have noticed it & I am not bothered” this kind of opended the floodgates to talk about it. After alot of soul seraching I asked my GP for a referal to the hospital (I am from the U.K), I met a surgeon & underwent tests & measurements & he decided it was best to refer me to his colleague who specialises in the adjustable sutre technique. I met with him last week & he explained the operation to me, also that they will turn my eye in ever so slightly which should not be noticable & will give a better long term result. he also wanted to make sure he felt I could handle the adjustments while awake under local anesthetic, he thinks I will be anxious but fine !! I go for a pre op health check next week which means I am nearing the top of the waiting list for the operation. My emotions are a mixture of terror about the general anasthetic, the adjustment under local & feeling pain but on the other hand being really excited at the prospect of looking into someone’s eye’s when I speak to them & not having the whole can people see there is something wrong with my eye thing hanging over me evertime I meet someone new.
Its been comforting to read the good expereinces on here……I just hope it will be worth it – even a 30% improvement to my squint would make a huge difference my confidence.