Great minds from centuries ago have ideas that still ring true today. One such example was Hippocrates, a famed Greek physician. He suggested that children of parents with impaired vision often have crossed eyes. And he was right! We call this condition ‘squint eye’, and it’s about your eyes not aligning properly because of uneven eye muscles. If someone has a squint eye, they’ll seem to look in differing directions.
A surgical procedure can fix this, called squint eye surgery. It’s all about repairing those unbalanced eye muscles. A recent study found that this surgery has a success rate of between 30-80%. While it might not necessarily improve vision, it can often improve appearances.
So, who can develop squint eyes? It can actually occur at any age, but we find some groups more susceptible.
– Kids: Roughly 5-8% of children experience squint eye symptoms.
– Newborns and infants: They can either be born with the condition or develop it after birth.
– Accident victims: Individuals with serious head injuries or trauma often experience double vision, which can lead to squint eyes.
– And people under 40: Squint eye tends to be more common in this age bracket.
Now, you might be asking, “What’s the goal of squint eye surgery?” We typically call this condition ‘strabismus.’ It happens when the muscle balance in your eyes is off, causing unusual vision. Doctors only recommend surgery when other treatments have proven ineffective. The ultimate aim of the surgery is to restore normal vision and make sure both eyes work well together.
The surgery usually completes within 30 minutes to two hours. It’s performed under general anesthesia, with the specialist using a special tool to keep your eyes open. A small cut is made in the conjunctiva inside the eye to separate the muscle. Part of the muscle is then detached and adjusted to enhance or soften its pull. The detached bits are stitched up with dissolvable stitches.
Like all surgeries, squint eye surgery has possible risks. It’s important to discuss these with your surgeon beforehand. There can be prolonged redness in the eyes, temporary double vision, or even a need for additional surgery. In rare cases, there can be eye damage, severe bleeding, or a particularly severe squint.
Post-operative care is crucial as well. The speed and quality of your recovery can depend on how well you follow these tips:
– Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, even if they feel itchy
– Keep them clear of any dirt or irritants
– Use any prescribed medicated eye-drops
– For children with severe squints, use eye patches as directed to help develop the brain’s vision management areas
Though squint eye is quite rare, you can find cost-effective surgical centers in India and beyond.
About the author:
Poushali has an M.Phil in English literature. She enjoys exploring and writing about various creative fields. She’s a firm believer in the cycle of ‘learning, unlearning, and relearning’, and is passionate about sharing her knowledge.
Category: Eye care
Tags: Squint Eye Surgery, Eye care, Vision correction.
