The eye is operated by 6 muscles. Strabismus is caused by the loss of balance between them. During strabismus surgery the eye muscles are strengthened or weakened so that the balance between them, previously disrupted and which led to strabismus, returns to normal.
The weakening of the eye muscle is done by detaching the muscle and reattaching it in a more posterior position, so that it becomes more relaxed. Strengthening the eye muscle is done by removing a section of the muscle and reattaching the remainder back to the original location. The muscle becomes stretched, and thus stronger.
Prevention or treatment of strabismus. Correction of the weakening of sight in the affected eye, diplopia (double vision), changes in the field of vision of both eyes and correction of the aesthetic side of the condition.
Before entering surgery an examination should be performed by a specialist in the field of strabismus, which will include confirmation of the diagnosis, verification of absence of other pathological conditions (mainly neurological), visual acuity test, retina examination, and rigorous diagnosis of the strabismus condition using prism. A medical record should be obtained from the family doctor or the treating physician, which lists diagnoses and medications that the patient is taking, in order for the surgeon and the anesthesiologist to have the most comprehensive personal and medical information. Blood tests that include count and biochemistry should be performed, and in some cases coagulation testing will also be required. Patients over the age of 40 must perform ECG and have the test results with them.
