Lazy Eye Surgery

Lazy eye is a term used to describe two different types of eye problems. The first condition is amblyopia, which is caused by an anomaly in the brain area associated with the visual system. The other condition that is colloquially called lazy eye is strabismus or eye squint. In this condition the person's eyes are not properly aligned together. Thus, the expression crooked eye is largely used to describe this condition.

Surgery to correct lazy eye does exist for both amblyopia and strabismus, but it is usually not recommended and is used as a secondary means of treatment after non surgical methods have failed. Given below are details for both the conditions.

Treatment for Lazy Eye

Amblyopia is an eye condition where one of the eyes is unable to clearly transmit an image to the brain. This is usually caused due to poorly developed nerves that cannot conduct proper signals from the eyes to the visual center in the brain. Another reason maybe less use of one of the eyes as a result of one of the following conditions: squint eye, anisometropia or unequal refractive power in different eyes and amblyopia caused by occlusion or cataract in one of the eyes.

This usually causes one of the eyes to develop weaker vision. Surgeries for treating amblyopia are not very common though they are performed in certain advanced cases. The preferred method for treating amblyopia is by training the non-dominant or amblyopic eye to 'see' again. This method usually works better in kids and is known to be highly successful.

Other non-surgical methods include using corrective glasses or contact lenses. If these methods do not work, surgery in the case of amblyopia is carried out. In the above cases of amblyopia, surgery include intraocular surgery or IOL surgery to correct the refraction in the affected eye. Prognosis after surgery is unpredictable since the impaired brain center as a cause still remains untreated.

Laser eye surgery may also be used in less advanced cases. In cases of ocular amblyopia, the cataract needs to be removed by surgery. Although surgery can help to a certain extent, post surgery eye training may be necessary.

Another common eye disorder that is known as lazy eye is strabismus which is a disorder of the eye where the extra-ocular muscles are unable to work together to focus at one point and the eyes are thus, unable to align together. It adversely affects depth perception in the individual affected with this condition.

Strabismus, if left untreated earlier can result in amblyopia. Thus treatment for strabismus that has progressed to an advanced stage, includes a combination of surgery, vision therapy and the use of glasses and prisms.

Surgery for strabismus or crooked eye is very common and is done mostly for cosmetic purposes. Though it may not completely cure the vision of the individual, it improves the eye alignment and gives it a normal appearance. The surgery involves changing the structure or position of the extra ocular muscles by any of the following methods: loosening or weakening the eye muscles, tightening or strengthening them, repositioning them or using adjustable sutures. The use of these methods may vary according to the requirement of the patient.

Duration and Cost of Surgery

Lazy eye surgery, in the case of strabismus, is a simple procedure which takes a few hours to complete and the patient is able to go home within a day. There is very little pain associated with the surgery, though the eyes may show some soreness and redness which soon goes away with proper eye care. At times there may be a need for multiple surgeries to keep the eye in position. The cost of surgery for lazy eye could range from 1000-3000 USD depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. It is best to ask your doctor all the details about it.

Post surgery vision therapy is advised, as surgery only helps cosmetically but for correcting vision, extensive eye exercises and corrective lenses or prisms have to be used. Contact an orthoptist for vision therapy to help improve vision in lazy eye.

Lazy eye surgery is not recommended for young children and can be avoided if the disorders are diagnosed and treated at an early age. Success rates for vision recovery in children is quite high.

For adults, the other non-surgical options include vision therapy and use of corrective lenses. Vision therapy or orthoptics uses eye exercises for lazy eye along with prisms and other lenses to help improve binocular vision in the eye. It has known to give good results with constant treatment over a period of time.