Name of the Procedure:

Strabismus Surgery, Recession or Resection Procedure on 2 Horizontal Muscles

Summary

Strabismus surgery is a surgical procedure to correct the alignment of the eyes. This specific type involves either weakening or strengthening two horizontal eye muscles to correct misalignment.

Purpose

The surgery is performed to address strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other. The primary goal is to improve eye alignment, enhance binocular vision, and reduce or eliminate double vision.

Indications

This procedure is indicated for patients with horizontal strabismus, characterized by inward or outward eye deviation. Suitable candidates are those who have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments like glasses, patching, or exercises.

Preparation

Patients may need to fast for several hours before the surgery. Preoperative assessments may include a detailed eye examination, measurement of the eye deviation, and in some cases, imaging studies. Medications may need to be adjusted as per the surgeon’s advice.

Procedure Description

1. Anesthesia is administered, typically general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults.
2. The surgeon makes a small incision in the conjunctiva, the outer layer of the eye.
3. Eye muscles are identified and either weakened (recession) or strengthened (resection).
   • Recession: The muscle is detached from its original attachment and reattached further back on the eye.
   • Resection: A portion of the muscle is removed to shorten and thereby strengthen it.
4. The incision is closed with sutures, which may dissolve on their own.

Duration

The surgery usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

The procedure is typically performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgical center.

Personnel

The team includes an ophthalmologist specializing in strabismus, an anesthesiologist, surgical nurses, and operating room technicians.

Risks and Complications

Common risks include infection, bleeding, and swelling. Rare risks may involve undercorrection or overcorrection of the eye alignment, double vision, and anesthesia-related complications. Management involves antibiotics for infection and follow-up procedures if necessary.

Benefits

The primary benefits are improved eye alignment and enhanced binocular vision. Patients may notice these changes in a few weeks to months following the surgery.

Recovery

Patients are usually advised to rest for a few days and avoid strenuous activities for 1-2 weeks. Eye drops or ointments may be prescribed to prevent infection. Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing and eye alignment. Full recovery generally takes a few weeks.

Alternatives

Alternative treatments may include vision therapy, prism glasses, or botulinum toxin injections. These alternatives might be less invasive but also potentially less effective for severe cases of strabismus.

Patient Experience

Patients may feel discomfort and mild pain post-surgery, managed with prescribed pain medications. Temporary redness and swelling are common. Most patients experience a noticeable improvement in eye alignment shortly after the procedure.