Squint Surgery (Strabismus)

minimum cost
₱ 0
maximum cost
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Things you need to know

1.What is Squint Surgery ​?
2.Why do you need it?
3.Why cost vary in philippines?
4.Surgery cost range by city
5.Surgery Procedure
6.Recovery
7.Risk and complications
8.FAQ
9.Conclusion

What is Strabismus Surgery?

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Why do you need Strabismus surgery ?

Strabismus surgery is indicated for:

  • Misaligned eyes (strabismus):
    • Esotropia: Inward deviation (crossed eyes).
    • Exotropia: Outward deviation (wall-eyed).
    • Hypertropia/Hypotropia: Vertical misalignment.
  • Functional issues:
    • Double vision (diplopia): Misalignment causes overlapping images.
    • Poor depth perception: Affects 3D vision, coordination (e.g., in children).
    • Amblyopia (lazy eye): If untreated in childhood, one eye may lose vision; surgery may be combined with patching.
  • Cosmetic concerns:
    • Visible misalignment: Impacts appearance and self-esteem.
  • Associated conditions:
    • Thyroid eye disease, cranial nerve palsies (e.g., 3rd, 4th, 6th nerve), or congenital strabismus.

The procedure aims to align the eyes by weakening (recession) or strengthening (resection) the extraocular muscles, improving alignment and function. It may require surgery on one or both eyes.

Why Do Strabismus surgery Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Strabismus surgery Procedure

  • Before Surgery Evaluation:
    • Diagnosis:
      • Orthoptic assessment: Measures deviation (prism cover test), eye movements, and diplopia.
      • Visual acuity test: Assesses vision in each eye (checks for amblyopia).
      • Slit-lamp exam: Rules out other eye conditions.
      • Fundus exam: Ensures retina/optic nerve health.
      • Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile (esp. for children under general anesthesia).
    • Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; antibiotic eye drops (e.g., moxifloxacin) 1 day pre-surgery.
    • Consent: Risks, including under/overcorrection, are explained.
  • Surgical Techniques:
    • Strabismus Surgery:
      • Performed under general anesthesia (children) or local anesthesia with sedation (adults), lasting 30–90 minutes.
      • A small incision is made in the conjunctiva to access the extraocular muscles.
      • Muscles are adjusted:
        • Recession: Muscle is detached and reattached further back to weaken its pull.
        • Resection: Muscle is shortened to strengthen its pull.
        • Adjustable sutures (in adults): Sutures can be fine-tuned post-surgery for optimal alignment.
      • The conjunctiva is closed with dissolvable sutures.
      • Surgery may involve one muscle (e.g., medial rectus for esotropia) or multiple muscles, on one or both eyes.
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Operating microscope: Enhances precision.
      • Adjustable sutures: Allows post-op fine-tuning (adults).
      • Muscle hooks: Isolate and manipulate muscles.
  • After Surgery:
    • Observation: 1 day (children under general anesthesia); same-day discharge (adults).
    • Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid drops (e.g., tobramycin-dexamethasone) for 2–4 weeks; artificial tears for dryness.
    • Pain management: Mild to moderate discomfort for 2–5 days; managed with acetaminophen.
    • Instructions: Avoid rubbing eyes, swimming, or dusty environments for 2–4 weeks; wear sunglasses for light sensitivity.

Recovery After Strabismus surgery

  1. Hospital Stay: 1 day (children); same-day discharge (adults).
  2. Post-Surgery Care:
    • Discomfort: Mild to moderate pain, redness, or foreign body sensation for 1–2 weeks; managed with analgesics and drops.
    • Vision: Double vision may persist for 1–2 weeks as brain adjusts; alignment improves in 2–4 weeks.
    • Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid drops for 2–4 weeks; artificial tears for 1–2 months (dryness common).
    • Activity: Avoid heavy lifting, swimming, or strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks; normal activities (e.g., reading) in 3–5 days.
    • Redness: Persists for 2–4 weeks; gradually resolves.
    • Children: Patching or glasses may continue for amblyopia treatment.
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Visits at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, then 3–6 months to monitor alignment and vision.
    • Orthoptic assessment: Confirms alignment at 1–3 months; adjustable sutures (if used) fine-tuned within 1–2 days.

Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Success rate: 70–90% achieve good alignment after one surgery; 10–20% may need additional surgery for residual misalignment.

Risks and Complications

  • Surgical Risks:
    • Bleeding (1–3%): Subconjunctival hemorrhage; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
    • Infection (1–2%): Conjunctival or scleral infection; treated with antibiotics, may lead to scarring.
    • Scleral perforation (<0.1%): Rare; needle may pierce sclera; may need retinal repair.
  • Post-Surgery:
    • Under/Overcorrection (10–20%): Misalignment persists or overcorrects; may need glasses, prism lenses, or repeat surgery.
    • Double vision (5–10%): Temporary, resolves in 1–2 months; persistent cases may need further treatment.
    • Scar tissue (2–5%): Conjunctival scarring; may affect appearance or alignment.
    • Suture granuloma (1–3%): Reaction to sutures; may need removal or steroids.
  • Long-Term:
    • Recurrence (5–15%): Misalignment returns over years, esp. in children; may need repeat surgery.
    • Vision loss (<0.1%): Rare; due to infection or scleral perforation affecting retina.

Report severe pain, sudden vision loss, or increased redness promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes strabismus?

Congenital (birth defect), refractive errors, muscle imbalance, nerve palsies (e.g., 3rd, 6th nerve), thyroid eye disease, or trauma.

Can I avoid strabismus surgery?

Yes, if mild: Glasses, prism lenses, or vision therapy (esp. children); surgery is for significant misalignment, diplopia, or cosmetic concerns.

Is strabismus surgery painful?

No, performed under anesthesia; mild to moderate discomfort for 1–2 weeks, managed with medication.

How soon can I resume activities?

Light activities in 3–5 days; normal routines in 1–2 weeks; full recovery in 4–6 weeks.

Is strabismus surgery covered by insurance in India?

Yes, for functional issues (e.g., diplopia, amblyopia); cosmetic cases may not be covered; confirm with your provider.

Signs of complications?

Severe pain, sudden vision loss, or increased redness.

Will my eyes be perfectly aligned after surgery?

70–90% achieve good alignment; 10–20% may need additional surgery or therapy for residual misalignment.

Lifestyle changes post-surgery?

Avoid rubbing eyes for 2 weeks, use prescribed drops, continue amblyopia treatment (children), wear sunglasses for light sensitivity, and attend follow-ups.

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Strabismus surgery

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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