Strabismus is a common eye problem that is generally observed in kids at a young age. It is the condition in which eyes are misaligned i.e. both the eyes don’t look in the same direction. The only solution to this problem is going for a strabismus surgery. But if you or anyone in your family who faces this eye condition is planning to go for the surgery, then there are certain basic things they need to know first.

What are those things? We are going to talk about them one by one –

1. Should you consult an ophthalmologist before surgery?

Of course you should – an ophthalmologist can be the best person to guide you on whether you need to go for a surgery for strabismus treatment or not. They can help you understand the severity and the complications related to the procedure, which can help you become mentally prepared. After all, undergoing a surgery on your eye will require a great deal of mental strength for the first time. That is what you can get with the guidance of an ophthalmologist.

2. Who all can go for surgery?

First things first, only a person in good physical health can go for surgery. This makes common sense, doesn’t it? Though the surgical procedure is carried out as an outpatient procedure (i.e. the patients can leave the hospital within hours of operation), still you cannot take the risk of having an unhealthy individual to undergo the surgery. Factors like age and health of the patient become key factors here.

3. Are there any types of strabismus surgery?

Now that you have a little idea of the health requirements of people who can undergo the surgery, let us move towards the types of surgery. There are two different types of surgery that doctors carry out, based on the severity and the root cause of the condition. The first one is a tightening procedure, which as the name might suggest works by tightening the eye muscle. And, the second one is a loosening surgery.

4. Is there any after care?

Just like after every other surgical procedure, there are certain specific after care tips that you need to follow once you undergo the strabismus surgery. The first concern is taking care of eye soreness. The eye will be sore for a few days, with some redness as well. However, this is not something that you need to be worried about. Regular eye care, like using eye drops and keeping it clean can work as the perfect aftercare for strabismus surgery.

Strabismus is a condition which the earlier you diagnose and treat, the better it is. Considering the fact that it is a highly growing eye condition, especially in growing countries where people don’t have access to even the most basic eye care facilities, it becomes imperative that we spread words of knowledge about this topic, and make people aware of this serious eye condition.

Thanks to the efforts of people like Dr. John Haines, and the Give Me Sight Foundation that is working towards eradication common eye problems in these developing countries, things are changing. But, there’s a lot that needs to be done. And, we all need to contribute towards bringing this change. Click here to donate to our cause via PayPal.