Setting It Straight!

Approximately 4% of American children have strabismus, which is a condition of the eye muscles. Eyes must be aligned precisely for optimal vision, but strabismus causes the eyes to point in different directions. One eye may be focused properly, but the other eye cancels this out by turning upward, outward or downward. Often the appearance of the eye condition is subtle, and parents do not take note of it immediately in infants or toddlers.

ADULT STRABISMUS
Adults can acquire the condition also, but an adult reaction is quite immediate. The adult is accustomed to the precise alignment of former binocular vision, and the double images suddenly presented with strabismus are distressing.

TREATMENTS
Various forms of treatment for strabismus are indicated, such as patches over an eye, glasses or surgery to realign the eye muscles correctly. Straighteyes.com offer help on strabismus by performing the surgical intervention sometimes required for this visual problem.

SURGICAL INTERVENTION
As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Veronique Jotterand is board-certified in pediatrics and surgery. Her practice offers specialized eye care for children. She has performed over 7,000 strabismus surgeries in 25 years of service. Her expertise is notable for the precise surgeries she performs and her concern and compassion for her patients.

HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?
Any surgery on the eye is met with realistic concern, especially if a child is about to undergo that intervention. Dr. Jotterand and other strabismus surgeons use a technique that is minimally invasive and remarkably effective to improve focus and depth perception. This procedure involves carefully placed, adjustable sutures that balance the eye muscles so that they are perfectly aligned.

RECOVERY
Strabismus surgery can require a local anesthesia with a sedative or a general anesthesia, depending upon the extent of the operative course. The patient will require monitoring for a time after the surgery. Adults will need to curtail driving privileges for approximately two days and may need a week to recover before returning to the workplace. Double vision is a common phenomenon which can last for that time frame, seldom longer.
Children recover quickly and can return to school routines within two days.
Post-surgical pain is quite minimal for children and over-the-counter medication may suffice. Older children and adults may have more discomfort and require a prescription.

AFTERWARDS
The advantages of strabismus surgeries have been clear for many years. Sometimes glasses are required after the surgery, and sometimes more than one intervention is required. However, the benefits of exacting visual correction are unparalleled.