Strabismus, or eye misalignment, occurs when one eye points toward the nose (convergent) or toward the ear (divergent). Sometimes, one eye may point upward or downward.
How does strabismus occur?
Strabismus in children is usually related to how they focus their eyes. The condition is often hereditary and affects 1 in 50 children under the age of 5.
Strabismus can also occur if the nerves to the eye muscles, or the eye muscles themselves, are not functioning properly.
What does the operation to correct strabismus involve?
Depending on the type of strabismus your child has, one of our expert ophthalmologists will need to tighten or loosen one or more of the eye muscles. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually lasts one hour.
One of our ophthalmologists in Tenerife will make a small incision in the outer membrane of the eye (conjunctiva). They will detach one or more eye muscles from the surface of the eyeball. Using small, dissolvable sutures, they will reattach the muscles, making them tighter or looser than they were before, depending on the correction required.
What are the benefits of surgery to correct strabismus?
Your child's eyes should appear to move together. If your child has divergent strabismus, their binocular vision may improve.
What complications can occur?
Surgery to correct strabismus presents the general complications characteristic of any operation. These include:
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Allergic reaction to equipment, materials, or medications.
- Persistent strabismus.
- Worse strabismus.
- Double vision in children over 5 years old.
How soon will my little one recover?
Generally, the children we treat at our Ophthalmology Center in Santa Cruz de Tenerife go home after a couple of hours. Our specialist will tell you when your child can return to their normal activities. After this procedure, children should not swim or do strenuous exercise until they are fully discharged. Most children recover quickly and very well.
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Glasses or contact lenses can help the eyes focus. If one eye is "lazy," patching the good eye can train the affected eye to work, so that vision develops normally in both eyes.
If your child shows signs of strabismus, we welcome you to our Ophthalmology Clinic located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife . Contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our professionals. You'll receive the best ophthalmological care in the Canary Islands!
