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What
is a lazy eye?
A lazy eye refers to an eye that is misaligned.
If it turns in it is called esotropia and if it
turns out it is called exotropia. If there is vertical
misalignment it is called hypertropia. A lazy eye
is not to be confused with an eye that does not
see well. That is referred to as amblyopia.
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Can
eye muscle surgery be done if eyes have been misaligned
for many years?
Yes,
this surgery can be done at any time and any age.
However, the earlier this surgery is done in children,
the more likley that the patient will have depth
perception.
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Is
more than one surgery necessary?
The
"old-school" thought held that strabismus
in adults could not be done successfully or that
50% of the surgeries would need further surgery
is incorrect. This muscle surgery with the slip-knot
technique is 80% successful.
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Is
the muscle surgery in adults purely cosmetic?
The
treatment for adult strabismus is not only cosmetic.
In addition, operating on adults with strabismus
can improve depth perception, field of vision and
eliminate double vision. Many patients also report
improved communication with better eye-contact,
enhanced self-esteem and better eye-hand coordination.
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What
is the recovery period?
Anywhere
from a few days for children to a couple of weeks
for adults.
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Do I have to
stay overnight at the hospital?
No, it
is an outpatient surgery. The patient goes home
two hours after surgery.
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Do
you remove the eyeball to do the surgery?
No, we
simply move the globe from side to side to best
get access to the muscle.
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Is the surgery
painful?
There is mild to moderate discomfort.
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How long do
I stay off work or school?
If your work does not involve
lifting heavy weights or is not in a dusty, dirty
environment, usually one to two weeks is enough
time for recovery.
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How
long does my eye stay red?
Three to four weeks.
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When
do you adjust the suture?
Approximately one to two
hours after surgery we adjust the suture in the
recovery room. The patient usually goes home soon
afterwards.
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Will
I have double vision after the surgery?
Adult patients are more
likely to have double vision after surgery. It may
last anywhere from a couple of days to a month.
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Will
my eyes be patched after surgery?
Children
undergoing strabismus surgery go home with no patches.
Adults who have the adjustable suture will have
one eye patched for twenty-four hours.
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Why
are both eyes operated on if only one is deviated?
Your eyes
work together and symmetrical surgery is necessary
for optimum visual function.
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