If you have double vision, you may be helped by a fairly simple medical procedure. Eye muscle surgery is a unique medical procedure in the United States that helps people of all ages regain binocular vision. Children with Brown syndrome, an inflammation that causes the eyes to wander and double vision to occur and congenital double vision, are often the dominant patients. On the other hand, some people discover their double vision as they age and the eyes weaken. Eye muscle surgery can help these people as well.

The process begins with a complete explanation of a specialist, usually an ophthalmologist or neuro opthalmologist that has had special training in working with individuals who have divergent vision and working with the muscles of the eyes. Once the cause of the problem is established, the doctor sets up the operation for the patient.

The operation is done outpatient and takes 20 to 40 minutes. It does, however, involve the administration of general anesthetic, so the patient has to undergo the process of preparing for surgery, as occurs with other surgeries that are more extensive. The purpose of the surgery is to get the eyes working together as it is the muscles of the eyes that allows the eyes to move up, down, sidewise and at various angles. Surgery is undertaken to align the eyes so that they are able to focus in the same direction.

Very little pain occurs from the operation, and the potential risks are minimal. Death or blindness only happens 1 out of 20,000. The doctor may prescribe pain medication for a few days following surgery. Aspirin should be avoided, but Tylenol may be taken.

Those who have had to wear prisms to correct double vision won't need them post surgery. In fact for those who have had Lasik surgery, glasses may no longer be needed at all, except for reading.

Medicine that used to be injected into the eye area prior to cataract surgery caused some people to have eye muscle weakness and consequently double vision. Eye muscle surgery corrects this problem.

Recovery from eye muscle surgery is usually a few days to a week with the individual able to do most things within a day or so. Restrictions include lifting no more than 20 pounds and refraining from doing things like gardening where contaminants can enter the eye. Various eye drops are used to prevent infection and to lubricate the eye. Some redness may occur for about two weeks.

This operation has an 80 to 90% success rate. If not successful, the operation can be repeated so the muscles are adjusted properly.

The operation to correct the eye muscles so eyes can focus properly and binocular vision reestablished is just one of the modern medical miracles in the United States. It gives hope to people who otherwise would have impaired vision for the rest of their lives.

Sources

"Eye Muscle Surgery," Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers, http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/

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