Patient information about the strabismus surgery
This information will help you to decide whether you want to undergo the eye-muscle
correction/strabismus surgery. You will be required to sign the consent to the surgery so it is very
important that you fully understand what will happen to you prior to, during and after the surgery.
If you have any questions, write them down so you can discuss them with your doctor.
Strabismus
Your ophthalmologist recommended you a strabismus surgery because of the assymetrical eye
movements, wich causes cosmetic problems, and this makes your everyday life unpleasant. The
strabismus surgery isn't urgent and its time can be planned. If your strabismus would not be treated that
wouldnt affect your sight, but your cosmetical problem would remain.
Preparation for the surgery
The surgery is a one day surgery. This is the reason why on the day of the surgery you need to come
prepared and fit for the surgery. You are required to present an internal medicine report that you are fit
to undergo the surgery, you will need to have detailed laboratory tests, an ECG and the current illnesses
must be in optimal condition
It is also important that you present an accurate written list of the medication you are currently taking.
Our patients are informed about the post -surgery care and about the dates of the next check-up upon
leaving our facility.
The aim of the surgery
Symmetrical eye movments are leaded by six pairs of eye muscles, directed by the brain. During surgery
the most common procedure when we weaken the stronger, and strongen the weaker mucles.
Sometimes we need to replace them, or perform new connections between them. Because of the
Patient Information – Squint Correction SJHB-07 doc 1
Author: Tanya Costa
November 2013
Saint James Hospital - Budapest
synchronised movments, ther might be cases, when your surgeon recommends surgery on both eyes, it
could happen even on the non-squinting eye.
According to the upper described , very complecated system, we make a careful,. personalised plan for
the surgery. In 75% of the cases one surgery would be enough, sometimes a series of surgery would be
needed. In some cases your doctor will recommend NOT to perform surgery at all.
The surgery
The surgery usually is done with local anesthetic. This simply is an anesthetic injection beside the eyball.
The doctor will discuss the mode of anesthetic with you in advance. After that, right before the surgery
you have to wait for 10-15 minutes and during this time you will need to sit or lay down with your eyes
shot. During the surgery you will need to lay on your back. The surgery usually takes about 20-40
minutes but it might take 60 minutes.. At the end of the surgery the doctor might put bandages over
your eye to protect your eyeball. In all of the cases your eye will become red, because of the highly
vesseled muscles, wich would cause bleeding under the translucent conjunctiva. It will disappear in 1-2
weeks.
In case you have discomfort after the surgery, you may take pain killers. If your complaint wouldn't
moderate please contact your doctor. In most cases the healing takes 2 to 6 weeks after this, sometimes
new glasses may be prescribed.
You will receive eye drops after the surgery which you will need to use for a few weeks. We will explain
to you how and how often will you need to apply the drops and we will precisely arrange the date and
time of your next check-up.
You must not rub your treated eye!
In case of some symptoms you will need immediate treatment. You need to report to the institution
which performed the surgery immediately if you experience the following:
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Strong pain
Your vision gets worse
The probability of your eyesight to get better
You can read and watch TV after the surgery. The healing eye needs time to reach the final eyesight.
Patient Information – Squint Correction SJHB-07 doc 1
Author: Tanya Costa
November 2013
Saint James Hospital - Budapest
In most cases after the strabismus surgery your eyesight may get temporarily blurry as a result of the
enlarged pupil and strong lights.
Advantages and risks of the strabismus surgery
The biggest advantage of the surgery is the improvement of the normal eye movments
Few possible, rare complications during the surgery


You might feel some discomfort, or even some pain for a few moments, as we move the eye
muscles, even in spite of the perfect anaesthesia.
Bleeding inside the eye, possibly arterial bleeding under the retina which can seriously even
permanently damage the eyesight.
Few possible complications after the surgery:



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Blurry cornea
Retinal oedema
Eye infection (on the surface, or inside the eyeball)
Allergic reaction to the used eye drops
Bloodshot of the conjunctiva
Today the complications are very rare and in most cases can successfully be treated.
You must be aware of that complications may occur during or following the surgery but the chance of
these are very small.
Important facts to consider:
After some years, or sometimes even after some month the squint might return. It can be corrected
withe a new surgery as well. Amblyopic eye has a higher risk for that. You have to know, that in
adulthood, strabismus correction is basicly a cosmetical correction, it does not effect your vision.
We do hope that we had provided you enough information to be able to decide whether you want to
undergo the cataract surgery.
Do not be afraid to ask your questions, we will all be happily and readily answer them.
Patient Information – Squint Correction SJHB-07 doc 1
Author: Tanya Costa
November 2013
Saint James Hospital - Budapest
Patient Information – Squint Correction SJHB-07 doc 1
Author: Tanya Costa
November 2013
Saint James Hospital - Budapest