Strabismus Surgery in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, and Munster, IN

Strabismus is an eye condition that causes the eyes to misalign. This creates a cross-eyed appearance. Strabismus surgery is a procedure that is performed to tighten or loosen eye muscles that alter the normal alignment of the eyes. The goal of surgery is to achieve a uniformed movement of the eyes and a more natural appearance while improving vision impairment. When the eyes are misaligned, it is a sign of binocular vision dysfunction, which means that the eyes have trouble focusing and interpreting images. This can cause double vision, trouble with depth perception, and permanent vision loss. Our team at Ticho Eye Associates is highly trained and experienced in strabismus surgery. To learn more, contact any one of our offices in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, and Munster, IN.

Misaligned eyes can cause problems with both your vision and physical appearance. While many people ask about corrective lenses to address strabismus, surgery is the ultimate solution. Ticho Eye Associates can assess the severity of your condition during a consultation and determine if surgery is right for your needs. For example, we may ask about your occupation and whether strabismus is affecting your work or participation in sports. We may also ask about your general health and any previous eye surgeries. Our team is proud to use the latest advancements in eye care technology to deliver safe and effective treatment.

Misaligned eyes can cause vision issues that can seriously affect your ability to go about daily activities. It may also cause problems with self-confidence, especially if your misaligned eyes are noticeable to others. Strabismus surgery can improve the alignment of the eyes to create a more unified look. In addition, Ticho Eye Associates can address vision issues that prevent you from seeing clearly. After our cutting-edge procedure in Chicago, IL, you should be able to see better and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Strabismus surgery is considered an outpatient procedure and is usually completed in 1 – 2 hours. General anesthesia or conscious sedation in combination with local anesthesia may be used, depending on the age and personal preferences of the patient. Once prepped, a small incision is made to access the eye's muscles. If the targeted muscle is too tight, it will be cut and moved to a different position on the eye and sewn in place to allow for flexibility. If the selected muscle is too loose, it will be shortened to achieve a more taut position. Our office uses an adjustable suture technique to create a temporary knot in an accessible position. This allows us to make minor alterations by adjusting the temporary knot(s) once the patient is awake. To correct the alignment of the eyes, both eyes will most likely need to be treated.

After the procedure, the eyes will be red or bloodshot for 1 – 2 weeks, but after a couple of days, patients can resume normal activities. Patients may also experience itchiness and mild discomfort, but these symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter pain medication. We will also prescribe eye drops to help with the healing process and comfort. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your recovery.

What is the best age for strabismus surgery?
Surgery to treat strabismus can be performed in patients as young as four months old. However, it is also a treatment option for older children and adults. In some cases, surgery is better performed as early as possible in order to prevent future eye damage.

How long does it take to recover from strabismus surgery?
The recovery process from strabismus surgery can take around 14 days in which you or your child should avoid strenuous activities. The full results may take around six weeks to become noticeable, and the procedure has a success rate of about 60 – 80%. Following your procedure, our team of eye care professionals will provide you with all necessary aftercare instructions to ensure you achieve your best possible outcome.

What causes strabismus?
In most cases, strabismus is a hereditary condition. However, there are some instances in which a brain dysfunction may lead to strabismus. Additional factors that can lead to strabismus include head trauma, stroke, untreated refractive errors, and thyroid conditions.

Strabismus surgery has helped countless individuals achieve proper eye alignment, better vision, and a more natural appearance. To learn more about this innovative procedure, contact Ticho Eye Associates today. Our skilled team of ophthalmologists will be happy to sit down with you to answer all your questions. We are conveniently located in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, and Munster, IN.

Why Fix the Straight Eye? from Bob Arnold on Vimeo.