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Squint Eye Surgery Side Effects - Precautions, Before & After Results

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Shivani Arora, last updated on 14 February 2023| min read
Squint Eye Surgery Side Effects - Precautions, Before & After Results

Quick Summary

  • Squint eye surgery, also known as strabismus surgery, involves adjusting the eye muscles to realign the eyes and improve vision.
  • Side effects of squint eye surgery may include double vision, dry eyes, and temporary swelling.
  • Patients must follow certain precautions after squint surgery to heal and recover quickly.

Squint eye surgery, also known as strabismus surgery, involves adjusting the eye muscles to realign the eyes and improve vision. Like any other surgery, side effects may occur with squint eye surgery. 

Squint eye surgery is usually prescribed for patients who cannot be treated through non-surgical approaches such as glasses and visual therapy. The duration of the procedure can vary, but it typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. The patient must follow certain precautions after squint surgery to heal and recover quickly. 

This article highlights all the information one needs to know about squint eye surgery side effects and any precautions to follow.

Care Before Squint Surgery

To minimise the risk of complications during and after the surgery, there are certain things that the patient might be needed to do before undergoing surgery.  Keep reading to find out what they are:

  1. Before getting the surgery done, the patient needs to undergo a pre-operative assessment to check if the patient is a suitable candidate for squint eye surgery or not. Additionally, the patient may raise any concerns regarding the surgery, such as what will be the difference between squint eye surgery before and after or the side effects of squint eye surgery. 
  2. Before undergoing squint eye surgery, it is essential to inform the doctor if the patient has any illness or hypersensitivity. For example, the patient must tell the doctor about allergies to medications like anaesthesia. This is essential to prevent squint eye surgery side effects.
  3. A prior appointment will be given to the patient for the day the surgery is scheduled. Hence, it is essential to plan as it will be difficult to drive after the operation. 
  4. Fasting is to be observed by the patient before undergoing squint eye surgery. If the patient is supposed to undergo surgery in the morning, they are advised not to eat or drink after midnight. In general, the patient must observe a minimum of 6 hours of fasting before undergoing squint eye surgery. 
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Side effects of squint eye surgery 

Although a safe procedure, there are specific side effects of squint surgery that the patient may experience. However, they won't last long and will resolve with primary post-operative care and medicines (eyedrops) prescribed by the doctor. The side effects of squint eye surgery may be immediate or long-term. The various side effects of squint eye surgery include:

Immediate side effects: 

These side effects may occur immediately after the surgery and may resolve in some time. The immediate side effects of squint eye surgery include the following:

  1. Sore eyes and redness: This side effect will likely last a few months. The patient may also notice blood in tears for a few days. 
  2. Itching in the eyes: This squint surgery side effect will last a few weeks. Itching in the eyes occurs due to the stitches taken during the surgery and subsides once the stitches dissolve. 
  3. Pain in the eyes: Feeling mild pain is a widespread squint eye surgery side effect and may last a couple of days. The pain is often occupied with a gritty feeling. Painkillers help treat pain in the eye.
  4. Double vision: Here, the patient may see two images of one object, hence, known as double vision. This side effect of squint surgery may last for a week or longer. 

Long-term side effects

These are the side effects that may occur after a long time after the squint surgery is done. The long-term side effects of squint eye surgery include the following:

  1. A small hole: During squint eye surgery, a small incision may be made in the eye to stitch the eye muscles into their proper position. Antibiotics may be necessary to minimize the risk of infection, and there may also be a need for a separate procedure to close the hole.
  2. Slipped Muscle: A slipped muscle can occur during squint eye surgery if the sutures used to hold power in place are not full-thickness, meaning they only attach to the outer layer of the power and not the inner portion. This results in only the superficial muscular capsule being secured rather than the muscle belly itself.
  3. Damage due to deep sutures: In some cases, using deep sutures during squint eye surgery can damage the inside of the eye.
  4. Infection: An infection, an accumulation of pus (abscess), or a buildup of fluid (cyst) around the eye can occur after squint eye surgery and may require treatment with antibiotics or a procedure to drain out the pus or fluid.
  5. Recurrence of squint after the surgery: In some cases, the squint might come back again, which will require another surgery. 
  6. Loss of vision: In some rare cases, the patient may lose sight.

When to see a doctor?

Although squint eye surgery side effects are common and will eventually resolve with little care, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately if the side effects of squint eye surgery worsen or if the patient experiences any of the following symptoms:

  1. A vision that has worsened 
  2. Any signs of infection, such as fever, swelling, and redness in the eye
  3. Chronic eye pain that keeps worsening 
  4. Changes in vision, such as blurring or double vision
  5. Increased discharge with crusting around eyes

Conclusion

Side effects of squint eye surgery are common and usually subside with some time. These include sore eyes, redness, itching, pain, and double vision. If the side effects of squint eye surgery worsen or new symptoms arise, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. One must follow the precautions after squint surgery to heal and recover quickly.

At HexaHealth, we provide comprehensive and cost-effective treatment for squint eye surgery. Our team of highly qualified doctors has extensive experience in performing squint eye surgery, ensuring that each patient has a comfortable experience. 

Whether you seek to improve your vision or correct a misaligned eye, we are here to help. With our commitment to patient-centred care and our team of expert doctors, you can trust that you are in good hands at HexaHealth. 

Frequently Asked Questions

It may take some time for the patient to recover and heal from the surgery. Certain precautions after squint surgery are to be followed to reduce the side effects of squint eye surgery. 

Following these precautions will help patients recover quickly. These include the following:

  1. Put the prescribed eye drops as advised by the doctor.
  2. Give plenty of rest to the eyes.
  3. Wear an eye patch or protective shield as directed by the doctor to protect the operated eye.
  4. Limit screen time to avoid straining the eyes.
  5. Avoid using soaps and shampoos to prevent them from entering the eyes while washing hair and face.
  6. Avoid wearing makeup or contact lenses until the doctor says it is okay.
  7. Wear protective glasses as prescribed by the doctor.
  8. Wait for the doctor's approval before driving or resuming exercise. You may continue exercising after a week or more. 
  9. Avoid rubbing the eyes as it may worsen/ break the stitches.
  10. Avoid contact with direct sunlight.

Side effects are common and usually occur after every surgery. The squint eye surgery side effects that are likely to occur include:

  1. Sore eyes and redness 
  2. Itching in the eyes 
  3. Pain in the eyes 
  4. Double vision

The need for squint eye surgery arises when other non-surgical treatment approaches like glasses, botox, and vision therapy fail to help the patient. Squint eye surgery is performed to correct the misalignment of the eyes.

Since squint eye surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, it is unlikely to cause pain during the surgical procedure. However, the patient might feel pain after the surgery. This pain can be managed by taking rest and painkillers. 

Scarring is a complication that may arise after squint surgery. Scarring can occur when the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye, does not return to its typical translucent white appearance but remains persistently pink and congested, particularly after two to three surgeries. If you are considering squint eye surgery and are concerned about scarring, it's important to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Unfortunately, despite the success of squint eye surgery, there is a possibility that the eye may turn again at some point after the operation, even years later, and repeat surgery may be necessary if the eye alignment benefits are not permanent.

Squint eye surgery can affect a person's vision, but the extent of the impact depends on the type of surgery performed, the patient's eye condition, and the cause of the squint. In some cases, squint eye surgery can improve a person's vision, where the surgery can help align the patient's eyes and improve vision. However, in some cases, squint eye surgery can also cause temporary vision changes or double vision, as the eye muscles need time to heal and adjust after the surgery. In rare cases, squint eye surgery can lead to vision loss, but this is typically the result of a rare complication and not a direct result of the surgery itself.

Since squint surgery is performed on the eyes to correct the misalignment, it does not affect the brain. Squint surgery can help improve how the brain processes visual information by correcting misalignment.

No, using a phone after squint eye surgery is not advised as it may affect the eyes by straining them. Mobiles must be used after the patient starts feeling better or if the doctor says it is okay. 

It is advised to wait a day or two before taking a bath. Hair washing is to be avoided to prevent the shampoo or soap from entering the eyes. You can ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding bathing. 

Foods that are to be avoided after a squint eye surgery include:

  1. Sugar or sodium-rich foods
  2. Processed foods 
  3. Fried foods

This is because these foods contain high amounts of salt and sugar, which can cause blood pressure changes and further worsen the eye condition.

The eyes may look red and swollen after squint surgery. However, the redness and swelling will subside after a few weeks. Additionally, mild pain and grittiness may also be felt in the eyes. 

The precautions to be followed after squint surgery include:

  1. Giving plenty of rest to the eyes
  2. Wear an eye patch or protective shield as directed by the doctor to protect the operated eye
  3. Limiting screen time to avoid straining the eyes 
  4. Avoiding using soaps and shampoos to prevent them from entering the eyes while washing hair and face
  5. Not wearing makeup or contact lenses for some time until the doctor says it is okay to do so
  6. Wearing protective glasses prescribed by the doctor
  7. Waiting for doctor's approval before driving or resuming exercise
  8. Taking more care of children post-surgery 
  9. Avoiding rubbing the eyes as it may damage the stitches 
  10. Avoiding contact with direct sunlight

If a squint surgery fails, there are chances that the squint eyes may return. Additionally, another surgery may be required to correct this squint. 

Things that are to be avoided after squint eye surgery include:

  1. Rubbing the eyes may damage the stitches
  2. Using soaps and shampoos to prevent them from entering the eyes while washing hair and face
  3. Wearing makeup or contact lenses
  4. Contact with direct sunlight

The things you should know about before and after squint surgery include the following:

Before squint eye surgery:

  1. Consult the eye doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery and discuss the procedure's risks and benefits.
  2. Following your doctor's instructions for preparing for the surgery, such as discontinuing certain medications and avoiding eye makeup.
  3. You are asking questions and clarifying any concerns you may have before the surgery. 

After squint eye surgery:

  1. Following your doctor's instructions for post-operative care, such as avoiding certain activities and using eye protection.
  2. Taking any prescribed medications and attending follow-up appointments as recommended.
  3. You are contacting your doctor upon experiencing any unexpected symptoms or complications.

Last Updated on: 14 February 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

Author

Shivani Arora

Shivani Arora

BA Journalism and Mass Communication

2 Years Experience

She is an accomplished new-age professional who has interviewed prominent personalities such as Bhaichung Bhutia, G. Sathiyan, Shashi Tharoor, etc. A content writer interested in health communication, graphic desi...View More

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