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Squint Eye Surgery London | Strabismus Treatment

At a glance:

Squint Eye Surgery

Symptoms:

Misaligned eyes, crossed eyes, wandering eyes, visual discomfort, difficulty with depth perception, double vision, lazy eye, in child or adult

Diagnosis:

Strabismus (squint) causing functional or cosmetic issues

Treatment:

Squint surgery involves realigning the eye muscles to correct the positioning of the eyes, enhancing both function and appearance

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

What Is a Squint (Strabismus)?

A squint is medically known as strabismus, a condition where one eye wanders either inwards or outwards, upwards or downwards, and may not work in coordination with the other eye. The quality of vision and stereopsis can be affected. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent, affecting either eye or alternating between them. It often leads to symptoms such as head tilting, blurred vision, double vision, or, in severe cases, even vision loss. Squints can sometimes indicate more serious underlying issues, such as undetected cataracts or other abnormalities including retinal detachment, intra-ocular pathology. This is especially true for children who suffer from squints who could have a developmental retinal disorder or tumour.

Treatment for strabismus includes a comprehensive ophthalmic and orthoptic assessment by that involves an orthoptist and medical consultation to diagnose the type and severity. Options range from non-surgical methods such as eye exercises, glasses and prisms to squint surgery.

Squint surgery involves delicately moving the eye muscles and reattaching them, sometimes with adjustable sutures for post-surgical refinement. Post-surgery care includes antibiotic steroid drops, with a success rate of around 80% and follow-up visits with the orthoptist and ophthalmologist to monitor progress.

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When Should You See a Doctor for Squint Eye Treatment?

At Clinica London, we offer expert care for squint eye conditions in children and adults, and we recognise the importance of early intervention. Seeing a doctor for squint treatment is always recommended if you notice any eye misalignment in yourself or others, regardless of age.

There are several types of strabismus, including:

Exotropia: One eye diverges away from the other. The condition can worsen from childhood and may require surgery in adulthood.
Esotropia: One eye converges towards the other. This can be a long-standing issue from childhood or develop in adulthood. Common in young children, if untreated can lead to a lazy eye (amblyopia).
Consecutive Strabismus: The eyes point out again after initial strabismus surgery in childhood.
Restrictive Strabismus: This is characterised by limited eye movement due to scarring or enlargement of muscles, often following trauma or certain diseases such as thyroid eye disease (Grave´s orbitopathy) in adults.
Nerve Palsy: The impairment or loss of function of a cranial nerve to the eye muscle causing a combination of squint, double vision, and sometimes eyelid drooping. This is a neuro-ophthalmological type squint because caused by nerve damage or disease.
Myopathy: Characterised by weak eye muscles, leading to drooping eyelids (ptosis), often focusing on eyelid surgery due to rare double vision. Can have onset in childhood or progressively in adults. May have droopy eyelids as well.

Children’s strabismus

(Squint)

Squints are commonly developed among the younger population. Strabismus, or squint, is a misalignment of the eyes that can occur from birth or develop in early childhood. It’s important to acknowledge this prevalence in children and understand its implications on their vision development and social interactions.

Parents should be vigilant for signs such as misaligned eyes or a tendency for the child to cover one eye to see better. The causes of a squint can vary, including genetic factors or underlying medical conditions.

If left untreated, squints can lead to further complications like amblyopia, also known as a lazy eye, which can have lasting effects on a child’s vision into adulthood.

At Clinica, we offer diverse treatments depending on the child’s needs. They range from prescription glasses, which correct refractive errors such as long-sighted (hypermetropia), to more intensive treatments like surgery for severe cases. A thorough evaluation by one of our eye consultants and orthoptist is required to determine the type of squint and devise an effective treatment plan.

Understanding squint in children is about medical treatment and ensuring the child’s comfort and social well-being. Early and professional intervention is critical to effectively managing the condition and supporting the child’s overall vision and social development.

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Treatment benefits

Our squint treatment provides several key benefits:

Resolves Double Vision: Our treatment effectively resolves double vision, allowing you to engage in daily activities without constraint.
Optimise Vision: By realigning the two eyes this will help improve both the quality and level of vision in many patients.
Enhanced Self-Confidence: Post-treatment, many patients report a significant boost in self-confidence, feeling more at ease in social settings and less self-conscious about their appearance.
Swift Recovery: The treatment typically involves a brief surgical procedure, with most patients quickly returning to their regular routines.
Simple Aftercare: Post-operative care is straightforward, usually involving the application of eye drops for a short period.

Squint eye surgery

Squint eye surgery, known as strabismus, is designed to correct eye misalignment and is a precise and delicate procedure performed under general anaesthesia for a pain-free experience. The surgery begins with a small incision in the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye, to access the underlying eye muscles. Depending on the specific type of squint—whether the eye turns inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards—the surgeon meticulously adjusts these muscles.

Techniques such as recession, where a muscle is weakened by repositioning it backwards, or resection, involving strengthening a muscle by removing a portion of it, are utilised. In some cases, adjustable sutures allow for post-surgical fine-tuning of muscle tension. The primary aim is to achieve the correct eye position, a balance that requires careful consideration to avoid overcorrection or under–correction.

After the muscle adjustments, the incision is closed with fine sutures that naturally dissolve over time. This detailed approach not only improves visual function but also enhances the cosmetic appearance of the eyes, contributing significantly to facial symmetry and personal confidence.

Although it is a relatively short procedure, usually lasting about an hour, post-operative recovery is an essential aspect of the surgery. Patients will typically experience some discomfort, redness, and swelling around the eye area, which gradually diminishes over a few weeks.

Additional post-surgery adjustments may be necessary: as the eyes heal, minor refinements to the alignment may be required. These adjustments are a standard part of the recovery process, ensuring the best possible outcome for each patient. The adjustment involves adjustable sutures.

Preparing for the procedure

The preparation for strabismus treatment at Clinica London begins with an orthoptist assessment. An orthoptist specialises in diagnosing and treating visual problems related to eye movements and alignment. During this assessment, the orthoptist evaluates the visual function and eye motility, employing cover testing and prisms. They examine the patient’s ability to use both eyes together and the level of stereopsis, which is the depth perception, and check for the presence of a lazy eye. Orthoptists are skilled in examining young children and assessing their vision and eye motility.

Following the orthoptist’s evaluation, patients are seen by the consultant for a more detailed assessment. This involves taking necessary eye measurements to diagnose the squint type accurately. Depending on these results, the consultant may recommend further neurological evaluation or additional assessment before considering surgery.

Our consultants, Ms Naz Raoof and Ms Naomi Tan, specialise in caring for children and adults with squints. They will discuss the findings and outline potential treatment options with you. These options may include glasses, prisms, or eye muscle surgery, depending on the specific needs and condition of the patient. The consultant ensures the patient fully understands the benefits and risks of each surgical or non-surgical treatment. This comprehensive assessment process is necessary for devising an effective treatment plan tailored to each individual’s needs, ensuring the best possible outcome for patients undergoing squint treatment.

Does EYE Squint surgery hurt?

Squint surgery typically involves local anaesthesia to minimise discomfort during the procedure. Local anaesthesia ensures that patients experience little to no pain during the surgery. Some post-operative discomfort or soreness might occur, but this is generally well-managed with prescribed medications.

Non-Surgical Strabismus Treatment

Treatment for a squint typically involves begins with a thorough eye examination and a consultation with an Orthoptist and, if the patient is a child, a Paediatric Ophthalmologist. This initial step is necessary for assessing the need for corrective lenses.

The application of glasses or contact lenses can markedly affect the severity of the squint. In some instances, proper usage of these visual aids may completely correct the eyes’ misalignment, enabling them to function in unison, a state known as binocular vision.

Following the adaptation to the prescribed visual correction, alternative non-surgical treatment options are considered if residual squint remains. These options include corrective procedures to realign the eyes or use BoNT injections in the eye muscles in specific scenarios.

Understanding that these treatments are customised to suit each individual’s unique requirements and condition is essential. The primary aim of these non-surgical methods is to enhance visual functionality and eye alignment, avoiding invasive surgical procedures wherever possible.

Recovery & Aftercare (Surgical Focus)

Post-surgery, the recovery process for squint surgery is usually quick. The primary aftercare involves administering antibiotic steroid drops for the first four weeks. This is a compulsory part of the recovery to ensure proper healing and prevent infection.

We generally require patients to return for a follow-up appointment at weeks 1, 4, and 12 post-operations to monitor progress and healing. It’s essential to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the best possible outcome and address any concerns arising during the recovery period.

Risk & Side Effects

Squint surgery, conducted under general anaesthetic, generally has a smooth recovery with minimal discomfort. Common post-operative experiences include redness in the whites of the eyes, which typically fades within a few weeks.

However, there are potential risks such as minimal eye damage or negative effects on vision, infection, and, in rare cases, over or under–correction of the squint or double vision. These complications are uncommon and usually temporary.

The risk to vision is very low, as the surgery does not involve the inside of the eye. In exceptional instances, further treatment or surgery might be necessary. Our consultant will discuss these risks with you in detail.

OUR CONSULTANTS

At Clinica London, we are privileged to have a team of exceptional professionals, including the esteemed Ms Naz Raoof and Ms Naomi Tan. As consultants at Clinica London, Ms Raoof and Ms Tan form the cornerstone of our medical team, bringing a broad spectrum of expertise in ophthalmology, with a notable focus on Strabismus.

Ms Raoof looks after both children and adults with squint, particularly those with a neurological or neuro-ophthalmic problem.Her career is a testament to her dedication and skill in the field of eye care. She is particularly interested and experienced in squint treatment, where her extensive knowledge has greatly helped our patients. Her approach to patient care is comprehensive and empathetic, ensuring each treatment plan is uniquely tailored to the individual’s needs.

Recognised for her proficiency in various ophthalmological treatments, Ms Raoof’s contribution to our clinic goes beyond her specialisation in Strabismus. She is committed to excellence in all aspects of patient care, making her a valued and respected team member. Under her guidance, patients can expect a high standard of care, marked by innovative treatments and a compassionate approach to addressing their vision and eye health needs.

Ms Tan is the newest member of the Clinica London team. She is a dedicated children´s paediatric ophthalmologist, looking after all aspects of paediatric eye conditions. She treats children with squint and suspected squint, working closely with the orthoptists. Ms Tan has an excellent rapport with children, immediately engaging their confidence and trust, and communicating well with their parents, putting them at immediate ease. She assesses every aspect of the child´s eyes and motility, including examining the back of the eye (retina) to exclude medical conditions and assessing whether there is a need for glasses. Ms tan is a delicate and skilled squint surgeon.

Both Ms Naz Raoof and Ms Naomi Tan work closely with the Orthoptists in the Eye Diagnostic and Orthoptic centre at Clinica London. Clinica is exceptionally fortunate in having several extremely skilled orthoptists who both assess vision and motility, and treat children and adults with suspected or established squints.

Ms Naz Raoof

Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Adult and Child Strabismus & Neuro-ophthalmology Specialist

Ms Naomi Tan

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Paediatric Ophthalmology, Paediatric Strabismus, and Adult Cataract Specialist

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Pricing

How much does squint surgery cost?

Treatment	Price range
Squint Surgery (covering the surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital fees)	From £5500
Children’s strabismus assessment – UK residents	From £425
Children’s strabismus assessment – International patients	From £525
Consultation Fees	Not Included

Initial consultation fees are not included.

Squint surgery FAQS

Yes, a squint can be corrected at any age. It is important to ensure that the affected eye continues processing visual information to avoid reduced vision or amblyopia (lazy eye). However, a full assessment by the ophthalmologist and orthoptist is necessary to determine suitability.

Eye muscle surgery is not usually painful, though some discomfort may be felt post-operation. This discomfort is typically moderate and can be managed with light analgesia.

The results of squint surgery can often be seen immediately after the operation. However, the final result may take a few weeks to stabilise as the eyes adjust and heal.

While squint surgery is generally successful, there is a possibility of the squint returning. This can depend on various factors, including the type of squint and the patient’s age. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor and address any changes.

Award Winning Clinic in London

Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.