A Complete Guide to the Procedure Timeline
If you're considering strabismus surgery, you might be wondering how long the entire process will take. Strabismus surgery, also known as eye muscle surgery, usually ranges between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. To answer the question "How Long Does Strabismus Surgery Take?", we're going to give you an overview of the time distribution, so let's break down the procedure and the time required for each stage.
Waiting for Your Operation
Before the surgery, your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare, including any necessary pre-operative tests.
The Surgery Itself
Strabismus surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the procedure. The surgeon will detach part of the muscle connected to the eye and reposition it so that the eyes align correctly. The muscles are then secured in their new position with dissolvable stitches.
Duration of the Surgery
- Time: The surgery itself typically takes about 30 minutes per muscle. For example, if both eyes need correction involving two muscles each, the total time can add up to around 2 hours.
- Additional Time: If the patient is a child, putting them to sleep with general anesthesia and waking them up can add an additional 20 to 45 minutes to the procedure.
Length of stay after surgery
After the surgery, you will be monitored for a short period before being allowed to go home, so the good news is that you or your child can usually go home the same day. Your eye doctor will provide you with post-operative care instructions to follow during your recovery at home.
Ensure you follow your doctor's advice for home care, which are usually a series of What To Do and What Not to Do After Strabismus Surgery, which may include using prescribed eye drops, avoiding rubbing your eyes, and attending follow-up appointments.
Post-Surgery Expectations
Immediate Aftercare
After the surgery, you can expect some soreness and redness in the eyes. However, these symptoms typically subside within a few days.
Recovery Timeline
- Recovery Time: Full recovery from strabismus surgery can take several weeks. However, most patients notice significant improvement in eye alignment and vision shortly after the procedure.
- Time Off Work: Depending on the individual and the nature of their job, some may need to take a few days to a week off work to recover fully.
If you want to know about the end results of squint surgery, specifically in adults, we have prepared a before and after strabismus surgery results list.
Returning to Normal Activities
Children are usually back to school within a few days, and adults can generally return to work around the same time.
Who Needs Strabismus Surgery?
Strabismus surgery is recommended for individuals whose eyes do not properly align, causing them to point in different directions. This condition can affect both children and adults.
Types of Strabismus Eye Surgery
There are different types of strabismus surgeries, and the time it takes can vary depending on the eye muscles that need to be operated on, which depends on the type of strabismus being treated (exotropia, esotropia, hypertropia, hypotropia). For instance, surgeries for more complex cases, like having a combination of types of strabismus at once, e.g. exotropia and hypertropia, might take longer than those for simpler misalignments.
Alternative Non-Surgical Treatment to Strabismus
While surgery is a common and effective treatment for squint, there are non-surgical options available as well. Vision therapy is a promising alternative, especially for adults.
At AvalonWeb.com.au, we offer Equal-Eyes, an innovative VR vision therapy program specifically tailored to treat binocular vision dysfunctions and lazy eye in adults. Equal-Eyes utilizes virtual reality technology to provide engaging and effective vision therapy exercises that can be done at home. This promising approach aims to reduce vision suppression, improve visual alignment, and increase binocular vision.
Conclusion
To conclude, strabismus surgery typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. The process involves preparation, surgery, and recovery stages, each with its own time requirements. Patients can expect a short stay at the hospital post-surgery and a recovery period of several weeks. For those seeking non-surgical alternatives, vision therapy, such as the innovative Equal-Eyes program, offers promising results. With proper guidance from your eye doctor, you can achieve better eye alignment and improved vision.