Squint surgery, also known as strabismus surgery, is a procedure performed to correct the alignment of the eyes by adjusting the eye muscles responsible for eye movement. When the eyes are not properly aligned, they may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward, affecting vision, depth perception, and appearance. 

Strabismus, commonly known as squint, is an eye condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned and point in different directions. It can affect both children and adults, impacting vision, depth perception, eye coordination, and overall quality of life. If left untreated, strabismus may lead to complications such as amblyopia (lazy eye), reduced binocular vision, double vision, abnormal head posture, and social or psychological concerns. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to preserve visual function and achieve optimal eye alignment. With advances in diagnostic technology and surgical techniques, modern strabismus management offers effective solutions tailored to each patient's specific condition and visual needs.

Need for Surgical Correction

The main goal of the squint surgery is to improve the alignment of the eyes by adjusting the muscles responsible for eye movement.Proper eye alignment helps both eyes work together more effectively, enhancing binocular vision, depth perception and overall visual function. In addition to functional benefits, surgery can improve the appearance of the eyes.

Each eye is controlled by six extraocular muscles that work together to direct eye movements. When these muscles are balanced, both eyes move in coordination and focus on the same object. However, if one or more muscles are too strong, too weak, or do not work together properly, the eyes can become misaligned, resulting in a squint. Squint surgery corrects this imbalance by repositioning or adjusting specific eye muscles to achieve better alignment.

When Surgery Becomes Necessary?

Surgery may be recommended when non-surgical treatments such as glasses, prism lenses, vision therapy, or patching do not adequately correct the eye misalignment. It is often considered for patients with persistent or significant squint, double vision, abnormal head posture, poor binocular vision, or cosmetic concerns caused by eye misalignment. The decision to proceed with surgery is based on a comprehensive eye examination and the individual's specific visual needs and treatment goals.

Squint surgery may be recommended for children or adults with persistent eye misalignment that affects vision, eye coordination, or appearance. It is often considered when glasses, eye exercises, or other treatments do not provide adequate correction.

Children with:

• Persistent eye misalignment
• Congenital squint
• Poor binocular vision
• Squint not corrected with glasses

Adults with:

• Long-standing squint
• Double vision
• Eye muscle weakness
• Squint caused by trauma or neurological conditions

Benefits of Squint Surgery

• Improved eye alignment
• Better binocular vision
• Enhanced depth perception
• Reduction in double vision
• Improved appearance and confidence
• Better eye coordination

A thorough pre-surgical evaluation is essential to determine the type and severity of strabismus, assess visual function, and develop a personalized surgical plan. The examination helps the ophthalmologist identify the underlying cause of the eye misalignment and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

Comprehensive Eye Examination

A detailed eye examination is performed to evaluate overall eye health, visual acuity, and the presence of any associated conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or refractive errors.

Eye Alignment Assessment

Specialized tests are used to measure the degree and direction of eye misalignment. Accurate measurements help determine which eye muscles require adjustment during surgery.

Ocular Motility Evaluation

The movement of each eye is assessed to understand how the eye muscles function individually and together. This evaluation helps identify muscle weakness, overaction, or movement restrictions.

Binocular Vision and Depth Perception Testing

The ophthalmologist evaluates how well the eyes work together as a team and assesses depth perception, which may be affected by long-standing strabismus.

Refraction Assessment

A refraction test is performed to identify nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or other refractive errors that may contribute to the squint.

Medical and Surgical History Review

The surgeon reviews the patient's medical history, previous eye treatments, current medications, and any underlying health conditions to ensure safe surgical planning.

Surgical Planning and Patient Counselling

Based on the findings, the ophthalmologist discusses the expected outcomes, potential risks, recovery process, and post-operative care requirements. Patients and caregivers are given an opportunity to ask questions and understand the treatment plan before proceeding with surgery.

Squint surgery, also known as strabismus surgery, is performed to correct the alignment of the eyes by adjusting the extraocular muscles that control eye movement. The procedure is carefully planned based on the type and severity of the squint and is typically performed as a day-care surgery.

The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia in children to ensure comfort and safety. Adults may receive either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the surgeon's recommendation.

A small incision is made in the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye. Since the surgery is performed on the eye muscles beneath this tissue, no external skin incisions or visible facial scars are created. The surgeon carefully identifies the eye muscles responsible for the misalignment.

Depending on the type of squint, one or more muscles may require adjustment to restore proper eye positioning:

• Muscle Recession: If a muscle is pulling the eye too strongly, it may be detached and reattached further back on the eye. This weakens the muscle's action and helps improve alignment.
• Muscle Resection: If a muscle is too weak, a small portion of the muscle may be removed before it is reattached. This shortens and strengthens the muscle, allowing it to pull the eye more effectively into the correct position.
• Adjustable Sutures (Selected Cases): In some adult patients, adjustable sutures may be used to fine-tune eye alignment after surgery, helping achieve more precise results.
• Once the necessary muscle adjustments have been completed, the conjunctiva is closed using fine dissolvable sutures. These stitches usually dissolve naturally during the healing process and do not require removal.

After surgery, the patient is monitored in the recovery area until the effects of anaesthesia wear off. Most patients are discharged on the same day with detailed post-operative instructions and prescribed eye medications.

Duration of the Procedure

Squint surgery generally takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of eye muscles being treated and the complexity of the condition.

Expected Outcome

The goal of surgery is to improve eye alignment, enhance binocular vision, reduce double vision where present, and provide a more natural appearance. Some patients may require additional treatments or follow-up procedures to achieve optimal long-term results.

• Experienced Squint Specialists: Expertise in diagnosing and treating strabismus in both children and adults.
• Advanced Diagnostic Technology: Comprehensive eye alignment and binocular vision assessments for precise treatment planning.
• Modern Surgical Techniques: Advanced procedures focused on achieving optimal eye alignment and visual outcomes.
• Personalized Care: Customized treatment plans tailored to each patient's condition and goals.
• Comprehensive Eye Care: End-to-end support from diagnosis and surgery to post-operative follow-up.
• Patient-Centered Approach: Compassionate care focused on safety, comfort, and long-term results.

A well-aligned vision can improve both visual function and confidence. If you or your child is experiencing a squint, the experienced specialists at Vasan Eye & Multispeciality Dubai can help with comprehensive evaluation and advanced surgical treatment options.