Squint Eye Surgery Success Rate in India

Squint eye surgery is a commonly performed procedure in India, and the success rate of this surgery in India is generally on par with international standards. Several studies have reported success rates of over 75% to 80% in children and around 80% in adults.

In some cases, patients may require additional surgery or other forms of treatment to achieve optimal results. However, with advances in surgical techniques and technology, the success rate of squint eye surgery is expected to continue to improve in India and worldwide.

Squint eye surgery is a safe and effective procedure in India. However, several factors govern and contribute to the squint eye surgery rate. These factors are as follows

Factors Related to the Patient

Patient-related factors may influence the outcome of the surgery and play a role in the success rate of squint eye surgery. Some of these patient-related factors include the following:

1. Patient's age
2. The type of squint the patient has 
3. The degree of squint
4. The duration of the squint 
5. Any coexisting ocular problems like cataracts 
6. The cause of squint 
7. Refractive error 
8. Delayed treatment for the eye
9. Past surgeries that were done to treat squint 
10. Pre-operative care instructions followed by the past 
11. Aftercare and the preventive measures followed by the patient after surgery 

Factors Related to Hospital and Doctor

The various hospital and doctor-related factors that may affect the success rate of squint surgery include the following:

1. Experience and qualification of the doctor performing the surgery 
2. The surgical treatment method used
3. The care and precision with which the surgeon performs the surgery
4. The hospital, the available facilities
5. The reputation of the doctor and the hospital 
6. The facilities available at the hospital 

Although squint eye surgery is an effective and safe surgical procedure, like any other surgery, various complications may arise. These complications must be diagnosed on time to provide early treatment and achieve a reasonable squint eye surgery success rate. 

Complications may occur during the surgery or after the surgery. Let's determine what difficulties may affect the squint eye surgery success rate.

Complications during the Squint Eye Surgery

Certain intraoperative surgical site complications are likely to occur during squint eye surgery. These complications during the surgery include the following:

1. Lost muscle: A lost muscle during squint surgery occurs when an extraocular muscle becomes detached or slips from the sutures if the surgical tool is used during the surgical procedure. If a muscle is lost during surgery, retrieving it as soon as possible during the same procedure is advisable. Utilising pre-operative imaging can help locate the lost muscle.
2. Slipped muscle: A slipped muscle during strabismus (squint) surgery refers to where the eye muscle being operated on becomes detached from its intended position and moves away from the surgical site. A lost muscle is one of the severe complications that may arise while performing squint eye surgery. 
3. Scleral Perforation: One of the most common complications may also threaten the patient's vision. Scleral perforation during squint surgery refers to an unintended penetration of the sclera, or the white part of the eye, by a surgical instrument, such as a needle.
   1. This can occur during the placement of sutures to correct a squint or misalignment of the eyes. Scleral perforation can lead to complications, such as infection and vision loss, and should be promptly addressed by the surgical team.

Complications after the Squint Eye Surgery

Several complications may arise after squint surgery. Some of these complications that may affect squint eye surgery success rate include the following, 

1. Allergic reaction: It can occur if the patient is sensitive to many medicine or instruments used during the surgery. 
2. Infections: After a squint surgery, an infection may occur if the instruments used during the surgery were not sterile or if the patient has any existing condition like nasolacrimal stenosis, which may increase the bacteria count at the site of surgery. 
3. Conjunctival Scarring: It may occur when the conjunctiva does not return to its white color. Conjunctival scarring may affect the outcome of the surgery. 
4. Diplopia: Diplopia, or double vision, is a common temporary complication after squint surgery. This occurs when the eyes do not align correctly after the surgery, causing the patient to see two images of a single object. Diplopia is usually temporary and improves with time as the eyes adjust to their new alignment. In some cases, additional surgery may be necessary to correct the issue. If diplopia persists or is severe, seeking medical attention is essential to ensure the best possible outcome.
5. Over-correction or under-correction: This may occur when proper eye alignment is not achieved during the surgery. 

To learn more, read Squint Eye Surgery Side Effects

Before and after care may also be essential in improving the squint eye surgery success rate. Following the doctor’s instruction to prevent the complications of squint eye surgery will impact the squint eye surgery success rate,

Before undergoing Squint Eye Surgery

Certain pre-operative measures must be followed to ensure a successful squint eye surgery. A patient's compliance with all the instructions given by the doctor is essential to recover quickly. The measures to be followed before undergoing squint surgery include,

1. A proper pre-operative assessment to determine if the patient is the right candidate to undergo squint eye surgery.
2. Stop the usage of any supplements like Vitamin C and E, herbal medications, or anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks before undergoing surgery to prevent the risk of bleeding or blindness.
3. Avoid drinking or eating after midnight on the day the squint surgery is supposed to take place.
4. Avoid wearing any makeup on the eye on the day of the squint surgery.

Post-Operative Care

Utmost care is to be taken of the eyes after squint surgery. Following the doctor's instructions and taking care by following preventive measures after squint surgery is essential for healing quickly. Some of the tips that are to be followed after undergoing squint surgery include, 

1. Using the eyedrops as prescribed by the doctor.
2. Not rubbing the eyes as the stitches taken are delicate and may break.
3. Avoiding excessive strain on the eyes.
4. Avoiding activities such as sports, swimming, and applying makeup to prevent infection risk.
5. Preventing soap or shampoo from getting into the eyes.
6. Avoiding driving.
7. Wearing protective gear when going in direct sunlight.

Delayed squint eye surgery, or delaying treatment for misaligned eyes, can have several potential risks and complications. These risks include:

1. Development of lazy eye (amblyopia). To learn more about the surgery, read Amblyopia Surgery
2. Difficulty with depth perception
3. Persistent vision problems like blurriness and double vision
4. Social and emotional impact
5. Image issues and low self-esteem

A patient's quality of life after squint eye surgery improves both aesthetically and functionally. Life after squint eye surgery includes,

1. Improved eye alignment
2. Improved vision
3. Reduced symptoms 
4. Improved overall quality of life

It's essential to remember that squint surgery's outcome can vary from patient to patient. After squint eye surgery, patients must allow time for their eyes to heal. This may involve wearing an eye patch or special glasses for a period of time and avoiding certain activities that could strain the eyes.

Patients must attend regular follow-up appointments with their surgeons to monitor their progress and ensure the surgery succeeded. In some cases, additional surgery or other forms of treatment may be necessary.

While squint eye surgery is generally safe and effective, there is always a risk of complications, such as infection, bleeding, or vision changes. Patients should discuss these risks with their surgeon and follow all post-operative instructions carefully to minimise the risk of complications.

To learn more, read Squint Eye Surgery Recovery Time

The squint eye surgery success rate in India varies depending on various factors, such as the type of squint, the patient's age, the surgical team's experience, the patient's compliance with post-operative instructions, any underlying medical conditions, and proper surgical technique. However, squint surgery generally has a high success rate in India, with about 80% of patients experiencing a significant improvement in misalignment after surgery. 

In order to ensure the best possible outcome, it's crucial to choose a qualified and experienced ophthalmologist and to follow the post-operative care instructions closely. At HexaHealth, our highly qualified ophthalmologists provide the best diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care for patients with squint eyes. Our team believes in providing the best treatment using highly advanced techniques to ensure minimum side effects and complications post-surgery and to achieve a high squint eye surgery success rate.