What is Squint Surgery (Strabismus)?
Squint surgery, also called strabismus surgery, is a procedure performed to correct the misalignment of the eyes, commonly known as "crossed eyes" or "squint." In this condition, both eyes do not focus in the same direction, which can affect vision, depth perception, and appearance.
During squint eye surgery, the surgeon adjusts the muscles around the eyes to restore proper alignment. This helps improve binocular vision, reduces strain, and enhances cosmetic appearance, allowing the eyes to work together in harmony. The procedure is commonly recommended for both children and adults when glasses, exercises, or other non-surgical treatments are not effective.
Types of Squint Surgery
Squint surgeries include recession, resection, or adjustable sutures, chosen according to the patient's eye alignment and needs.
- Muscle Strengthening (Resection): In this method, a section of the weak eye muscle is shortened, making it stronger and helping the eye move correctly.
- Muscle Weakening (Recession): Here, the tight eye muscle is detached from its original position and reattached further back. This reduces tension, allowing the eye to align better.
- Adjustable Sutures: Commonly used in adults, this technique allows the surgeon to fine-tune eye alignment after surgery, ensuring the best possible results.
- Combined Procedures: In some cases, both strengthening and weakening techniques are performed together to achieve proper balance and alignment.
30 Mins - 1 Hour
Surgery Duration
General Anesthesia
Anesthesia Used
4 to 6 weeks
Full Recovery
When is Squint Eye Surgery Recommended?
Ophthalmologists may recommend squint eye surgery in the following situations:
- Persistent Eye Misalignment: When the eyes remain crossed or deviated despite using glasses, exercises, or other non-surgical treatments.
- Double Vision (Diplopia): In adults, squint can cause double vision, and surgery may be needed to correct alignment.
- Loss of Binocular Vision: When the eyes cannot work together, affecting depth perception and everyday activities like reading or driving.
- Cosmetic Concerns: For patients (children or adults) who experience social, emotional, or confidence issues due to visible eye misalignment.
- Childhood Squint: Early surgery is often advised to prevent long-term vision problems, such as amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Failed Previous Treatments: If non-surgical methods or earlier procedures did not correct the squint, surgery may be required.
Preparing for Squint Eye Surgery Procedure
Preparing for your Squint eye surgery is a key part for a smooth surgery and a fast recovery.
Medical Evaluation & Pre-Op Visit
- A detailed eye examination, including vision tests and eye muscle measurements, will be performed.
- Your doctor may order general health tests such as blood work, ECG, or allergy checks before anesthesia.
- Share your complete medical history, ongoing medications, and any previous eye treatments with your ophthalmologist.
Health Habits & Lifestyle Adjustments
- Stop smoking at least 2-4 weeks before surgery, as it can interfere with healing.
- Avoid alcohol and consult your doctor about pausing blood-thinning medicines like aspirin or certain supplements that may increase bleeding risk.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins to support recovery.
Preparing Your Home and Support System
- Arrange for someone to accompany you on the day of surgery and assist you for at least the first 24 hours.
- Keep essentials like prescribed eye drops, medications, sunglasses, and tissues within easy reach at home.
- Prepare a comfortable resting area with good lighting and minimal strain for the eyes.
The Day Before & Day of Surgery
- Follow fasting instructions given by your doctor (especially if general anesthesia is planned).
- Clean your face thoroughly, avoiding makeup, creams, or lotions around the eyes.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing contact lenses, jewellery, or nail polish.
- Bring your medical reports and stay calm, your doctor will guide you through each step.
What Happens During Squint Eye Surgery?
During squint surgery, eye muscles are adjusted by tightening or loosening to achieve proper alignment, typically under local or general anesthesia.
Preparation & Anesthesia
On the day of surgery, you'll meet your ophthalmic surgical team, who will review the plan and answer last-minute questions. For children, general anesthesia is usually given to keep them fully asleep and comfortable. Adults may receive either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the case.
Incisions & Muscle Access
The surgeon makes a very small incision in the thin tissue (conjunctiva) that covers the white part of the eye. This allows safe access to the eye muscles without leaving visible scars.
Eye Muscle Adjustment
Depending on the type of squint, the surgeon will either:
- Weaken a muscle (Recession): Moving the muscle further back on the eye to reduce its pulling force.
- Strengthen a muscle (Resection): Removing a small portion of the muscle and reattaching it to increase its strength.
- Adjust alignment (Adjustable Sutures, in adults): Using special sutures that can be fine-tuned after surgery to achieve the best alignment.
No Skin Cuts
Since all the work is done on the eye muscles beneath the surface tissue, there are no visible scars.
Closing the Incisions
The surgeon closes the tiny incisions with dissolvable stitches. Antibiotic drops or ointment may be applied to protect the eye and reduce irritation.
Recovery Room & Early Aftercare
After surgery, you'll be monitored in the recovery area until the anesthesia wears of Children are usually ready to go home the same day, while adults may need a few extra hours of observation. Mild redness, watering, or a scratchy feeling is common and typically improves within days.
Who will do Squint Surgery?
Squint surgery, also known as strabismus surgery, is typically performed by an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of eye conditions and diseases.
Ophthalmologists are highly trained professionals with expertise in both medical and surgical aspects of eye care. They are qualified to perform squint surgery and provide comprehensive care for patients with strabismus.
Recovery & Aftercare After Squint Eye Surgery
After the procedure, you'll rest in a recovery room until the anesthesia fully wears off. Most patients (including children) return home the same day. Some redness of the eye, mild swelling, or a gritty sensation is normal during the first few days.
Eye Care & Medications
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and reduce irritation. Use them exactly as directed. You may also be given pain relievers for mild discomfort. Avoid rubbing or pressing on the operated eye.
Activity & Lifestyle Adjustments
- Children can usually return to school within 3-5 days, while adults may resume work in about a week, depending on the job.
- Strenuous activities like swimming, heavy exercise, or contact sports should be avoided for 2-3 weeks.
- Reading, watching TV, and light screen use are fine as long as there's no strain or discomfort.
Follow-Up Appointments
A follow-up visit is scheduled within the first week to monitor healing and check eye alignment. If adjustable sutures were used, fine-tuning may be done at this stage for adults. Additional follow-ups will ensure long-term success.
Long-Term Results
Redness usually fades within 2-3 weeks, and eye alignment improvements become clearly visible as healing progresses. In children, early surgery often helps prevent long-term vision problems like lazy eye. In adults, surgery improves both alignment and cosmetic appearance, enhancing confidence and daily functioning.
Benefits of Squint Eye Surgery
The surgery improves eye alignment, enhances appearance, relieves double vision, and may improve binocular vision.
- Improved Eye Alignment: Corrects the position of the eyes, making them look straight and natural.
- Better Binocular Vision: Helps the eyes work together, improving depth perception and coordination.
- Reduction in Double Vision: For adults with diplopia, surgery often relieves or reduces double vision.
- Enhanced Confidence: Correcting visible eye misalignment can greatly improve self-esteem and social comfort.
- Support for Children's Vision Development: In kids, timely surgery prevents long-term vision issues like amblyopia (lazy eye).
Risks of Squint Eye Surgery
Potential risks include infection, bleeding, over- or under-correction, double vision, or scarring of eye muscles.
- Temporary Redness & Irritation: Mild redness, swelling, or scratchy feeling is common but usually improves within weeks.
- Incomplete Correction: In some cases, additional surgery may be needed if full alignment isn't achieved.
- Double Vision: Some adults may temporarily experience double vision as the brain adjusts to the new alignment.
- Infection or Scarring: Rare, but possible; usually prevented with proper use of prescribed eye drops.
- Overcorrection or Undercorrection: The eyes may end up slightly over- or under-adjusted, requiring follow-up treatment.
Squint Eye Surgery Cost in India
The cost of squint eye surgery varies depending on several factors, including the patient's age, the type and severity of squint, the surgical technique used, and the hospital's facilities. The cost of squint surgery in India can range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 or more.
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