Strabismus is a common disease that covers 4-5% of the population.
The Centre of Ophthalmology at HUMANITAS deals with the problems of strabismus that occur in each age group. In the context of strabismus that affects adults, there is treatment for all kinds of strabismus, such as those caused by:
- Congenital strabismus
- Neurological strabismus or strabismus secondary to neurological problems
- Secondary organic eye problems
- Strabismus secondary to thyroid disorders
- Posttraumatic strabismus
- Restrictive strabismus or strabismus from another origin
At Humanitas strabismus surgery is also performed using the latest technique called MISS (Minimally Invasive Surgery Strabismus), which minimizes surgical trauma through the use of conjunctival openings of a few millimetres. This technique can reduce or eliminate the post-operative problems that may cause discomfort and symptoms such as pain, red eye, and eyelid swelling that often persist for a few weeks with traditional surgery methods.
What is the strabismus intervention?
The surgery has the aim to realign the visual axis acting on the muscles that control the eyes. To do this it is necessary to modify the force with which the muscles are able to move the eyeballs.
To this end it is possible:
• To strengthen a muscle shortening by intervention plication (in Humanitas this method is now abandoned for years because the resection is considered too risky)
• To weaken the strength of the opposing muscle through intervention of recession in order to improve the balance function of the eye muscles
How does the surgery for strabismus work?
The interventions for strabismus and diplopia can be carried out both under topical anaesthesia and under general anaesthesia. In most cases, the patient remains in observation for a few hours after surgery, and it is rarely necessary to be admitted or kept in the hospital for more than one night.
Is the surgery for strabismus painful or dangerous?
Interventions for correction of strabismus are not generally painful; however, there is a possibility of some postoperative discomfort, such as pain, red eye, and eyelid swelling that can last for several weeks.
In order to reduce this discomfort, the specialists in Humanitas will perform the strabismus surgery by using the latest technique called MISS (Minimally Invasive Surgery Strabismus) that minimizes surgical trauma in appropriate cases.
Which patients can undergo the surgery for strabismus?
Only a thorough preoperative evaluation combined with the experience of the surgeon of all possible techniques of surgery can lead to the choice of the best surgical strategy for the case.
Follow up
Patients that undergo surgery for strabismus are always monitored on the day after surgery, after a week and after six weeks. After a six months period it is recommended that the patient proceed to annual monitoring visits.
Standards of preparation
The patient is not required to perform specific preparations for the surgery. Once the type of intervention is decided, the patient is given typical, routine, pre-admission requirements that do not differ from any other type of surgery. These requirements include blood tests, ECG, consultation with an anaesthesiologist as well as other necessary examinations.
