What is the treatment for strabismus? Exercise or surgery

The treatment is based on timely diagnosis, which saves the child's eyesight from amblyopia, especially during schooling.

The main pillar is the strabological examination, on the basis of which the form, position of the eyes and their mobility (motility) are determined.

In addition, visual acuity is assessed. In forms that involve refractive errors, it is possible to either partially or completely eliminate the deviated position of the eyes with the spectacles, and thus to correct the refractive error of the eyes. And either with glasses or lenses.

Eye exercises, patches, medications (such as eye drops and ointments, botulinum toxin injections) will help ...

It helps when children train their eye, cover the stronger eye with an eyepiece and train the weaker one, which is supposed to strengthen its mobility and prevent lazy eye.

The aim of the treatment is to make the eyes parallel and ensure binocular vision.
In addition to having binocular vision, the affected person's self-confidence is restored as well.

If this solution is not sufficient, especially in adulthood, surgical treatment needs to be considered. Modern treatment today is at a high level and can help the affected person restore a parallel eye position.

In adulthood, only an surgical solution is necessary and effective.
Training exercises designed for strabismus are not effective.

There is no age limit when considering surgery.

The method involves a procedure that has either a weakening or strengthening effect on the oculomotor muscles. For example, a laser or surgical treatment of a change in muscle length, which is performed under general anesthesia, uses soluble sutures.

Are you asking about the age at which the operation is performed?
It depends on the doctor's assessment and the degree, form and severity of the condition.
The operation can be performed at any age...

The operational solution is approximately 90% successful for the first time. However, about 10% must undergo a second procedure, at the earliest in 6 months.

Is there a special way to treat strabismus?

An appropriate method includes adjustable stitches. The advantage over fixed sutures is that the suture can be manipulated at the time after the procedure.

They are attached to the muscle so that they can be loosened or tightened for some time as needed. This corrects the range of eye deflection as accurately as possible.

In some cases, the correction is less sufficient or slightly more sufficient than would be necessary.
But, if fixed stitches are used, they can no longer be manipulated.
This method targets this condition precisely.
It presents a great advantage.

Convalescence after surgery takes several weeks. Most importantly, it is necessary to rest as much as possible and keep the body clean (as a prevention of wound infection). In the following week or two, the measures may become looser, but, the healing continues.

Overall, physical activity needs to be limited to about a month.

The procedure is intended to restore a person's ability to perform daily activities and increase their comfort. For example, ordinary and everyday spatial orientation, reading, watching television, sports or even driving.

If strabismus is not treated, the following may occur: 

• lazy eye - amblyopia
• blurred vision
• double vision
• spatial vision disorder
• visual impairment to blindness in the weakened eye, "the brain turns off the eye"
• increased exertion and eye fatigue
• general fatigue
• pain in the eye and headaches
• mental health issues (anxiety, depression) and decreased self-esteem