Comments on: multiple strabismus surgeries

By: amomofelly

amomofelly — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:29:56 +0000

We were told that there is a chance the kids have to go in soon after the first time for a “touch up” as the proceedure is based on measurements, but all bodies react differently. Additionally, it was explained to us that as her eyes grow and change, there may be a need to have surgery again in the future.

By: olfa

olfa — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:13:31 +0000

Hi Ann Z,

It is quite painful to see my son go through so much surgeries. The last surgery, I was really reluctant it about. I did not want it but I am gald we did it. His vision really improved. But there are other things that we have to work on : like his hand writing, his walking…

By: Ann Z

Ann Z — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:25:43 +0000

Welcome Olfa,
How frustrating to have to watch your son go through the three surgeries. I hope that your son’s vision continues to improve with patching.

By: olfa

olfa — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:03:34 +0000

Hi eveyone,

my son was born with a severe strabismus condition. He got operated three times (at 1, 18 months and 7 ). He is always patching the right eye because the vision is not that good. the doctors says he cannot improve anymore after 3 operations. when he is tired his eayes are not straight. I have read some interesting tips and consequences on an article. it is really interesting.
http://ourkidsguide.blogspot.com/

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:20:03 +0000

Has anyone tried vision therapy after a surgery to correct strabismus? If so, how old was your child? Thanks, Darlene

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:18:48 +0000

Hi there Ingrid. My sons prescription is quite mild from what I understand. Currently it is -2.75 in the right and -2.25 in the left eye. He has quite a bit of astigmatism as well as something called Brown’s syndrome. Has your PO checked your daughters eyesight recently? I have heard that when young children grow, their eyes grow and change shape causing their prescription to change often. When they cant see as well due to an outdated script then the eye starts drifting again. My sons right eye has gotten progressively worse since the last appt with the PO but I am hoping a new prescription will help with this. Best of luck!

By: ingrid

ingrid — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:29:48 +0000

Hi Darlene,
Our daughter also has myopia and as much as I was optimistic in my last pos I still do notice the eye turning with the glasses on which I know can be an indication for surgery? I see the PO on Monday so will know more as we have been patching for six weeks two hours a day since we last saw him. PAris sounds similar to your son as our daughter has intermittent exotropia due to myopia – one eye only. I only noticed it starting to turn out slightly at around 1o or 11 months, before that it was perfectly straight. I am so worried to be honest as I am worried about surgery but even more worried that if we do have to go down that path, which we may well have to do, that it doesnt work. Can I ask what is your son’s script? Paris is -4 in her myopic eye, plano in the other. So encouraging to know there are others going through the same situation and I feel your pain and worry. Many thanks. Ingrid

By: Corrie

Corrie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:59:42 +0000

Yes. It seems that this is the general consensus among POs that the sooner they have strabismus surgery, the better the chances of the brain correcting itself to recognize that there are two eyes with two images that form binocular vision. However, I have heard a lot of other, conflicting believes among POs in other countries. It is extremely frustrating that there is so little research out there especially for congenital strabismus and the best treatment and outcome. It sounds like we are in a very similar situation. We started patching at four months old and haven’t stopped since. Our last PO told us that we would be patching until our daughter turns ten and the eyes are fully developed. THis PO also told us that there is basically no chance that she would ever have binocular vision. That’s very discouraging! We didn’t get glasses until after the surgery at nine months old. However, we have seen very little improvement in her vision with all the patching and glasses until we started vision therapy because I refused to believe that there is nothing that I can do to help our daughter achieve binocular vision. It is very time consuming and expensive, but, if it means that she will be able to see clearly, it is totally worth it. It would be nice to be able to know that if we need another surgery that this will fix the eye turn completely, and it won’t need to be repeated again. However, there is no PO that can give such a guarantee. I know it is hard to know what is best and whose opinion to believe, but you are your son’s best advocate, and you have the right to get as many opinions you can get before putting him through another surgery. How old is your son now? All the best to you and your son! I know you will make the best decision for the best possible outcome.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:51:26 +0000

Thank you for your response. Its helpful to know that other people are experiencing similar situations. My son got glasses at 4 months to correct his myopia. We also started patching his eye 3, then 4 hours a day. After those things didnt work to align the eyes the PO discussed surgery. We are still patching 4 hours a day and having him wear his glasses, now with a stronger prescription. The PO made it sound like the younger he had surgery the better. Is that what your PO tells you also?

By: ingrid

ingrid — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:42:28 +0000

hi there, our 22 month old daughter has intermittent exotropia. She has been wearing glasses almost a year and is patching two hours per day which is going very well. The glasses keep the eye that turns out intermittently straight. When they are off, the eye does turn out slightly when she is looking in the distance. However as Corrie mentioned, the PO said that it was most important to get the vision equal in both eyes before any surgery if needed. Our PO seems to think that there is only a very slim chance of Paris needing surgery. He said that as the eye strengthens and the vision equalises over time the eye will straighten out. She will have to wear her glasses still and it may drift a little if she is very tired, but I can deal with that! He also said as children get older and have more control over their eyes and with a little vision therapy she should be able to keep it straight herself. Just my two cents worth! At first I almost wanted the surgery to just fix it now! but I have learned that this is not something that can be fixed overnight it is a long process and only time and persistance will make a difference. It is worth all the hard work though as Paris’s eye is definitely getting stronger and staying straighter more of the time. We are very happy.