Squint Correction Surgery

I've had a chat with the team here at the helpline but as squints are not a common occurrence (although they do happen) with CP we don't have any specific expertise in this area. I'm hoping someone else on the forum can share their experience with you. Although don't forget that if you have questions about the surgery you can always speak to your Ophthalmologists.

Scope helpline

I've had squint correction surgery twice - at 18 mouths and 24 years and I have CP - My advice would be to explore every possible option that is as least invasive as possible.

Things that can be done to help correct/manage a squint are:

Patching

Botox injections

Glasses with prisms

Eye exercises

Coloured layers to reduce visual stress

Large print and correct spacing

Larger glasses

Flatter/thiner lenses

Hand eye coordination practice 

Eye muscles are extremely delicate, surgeons can adjust the muscles to some extent but it is far from and exact science, it leaves a scare and can give you a red eye that never really goes away - squint surgery can not change the wiring in the brain that is normally set by about 18 months old.

After an operation where I woke up with double vision, and had to learn to smile again, with my eye movement and cosmetics being servely compromised due to the surgeon under estimating scare tissue from my previous operation  - Nearly 10 years on and many trips to Moorfields I've learnt to live with, and accept the sqint, Thankfully it is now not as noticeable. Moorfields have been absolutely amazing, I personally would never trust my eye treatment to any other hospital ever again. 

Talking over all the possible options with your ophthalmologist is the best idea, ask about botox injections, as they are not permanent and wear off after about 3 months, it can give you and the your consultant very valuable information on how your eyes/ and brain might respond to a possible surgical procedure. 

You need to think very carefully about what you are trying to achieve, and try and pick options if possible that can be reversed.

We talk with our eyes, and they are so important, if they look right, and feel right, we have confidence to present ourselves well.

A book that I found extremely helpful was "A singular view, the art of seeing with one eye" by Frank B. Brady. 

All the very best with your decision, feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best.

Noah