Squint Surgery or Strabismus Treatment in Iran

Iran has experienced such considerable progress in the field of eye surgery that has become one of the favorite medical tourism destinations for those who are seeking remedies for different kinds of eye issues. Strabismus treatment in Iran is one of the most sought-after eye surgeries for international tourists. Certified world-class Iranian ophthalmologists boast high success rates in complicated eye surgeries. While the quality and methods of eye treatments in Iran compete with Western countries, the price is much more affordable than in those countries. Moreover, they do not have to wait on long waiting lists and can benefit from fast eye medical services.

We at Iran Medical Tours will assist you with the whole process of your medical journey to Iran.  From finding the best ophthalmologists and specialized eye hospitals in Iran to visas, accommodation, transfer/transportation, medical appointments, follow-ups, and whatever you need through your medical travel to Iran, our professional team is here to support you. Our services cover different cities in Iran, such as Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashad.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for consultation!

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus, also called squint or crossed eye, is a visual problem in which the eyes are not aligned properly and point in different directions. It is one of the most common eye problems in children. In this eye disorder, one or both eyes may deviate inward, outward, upward, or downward. It is likely to exist more than one of these eye movement disorders at the same time in a child. The other name of this disease is “Squint “or ” crossed eyes”.

At what age does strabismus usually develop: From birth to 6 years of age.

Strabismus Treatment Methods in Iran

Strabismus can be treated in various ways. Depending on the individual case, treatment options include:

1. Glasses: Sometimes, prescribing glasses can enable the patient to realign their eyes.

2. Prisms: Plastic prisms of the appropriate strength can be stuck onto the spectacle lenses to correct the misalignment of the eyes. These are particularly helpful in cases where the angle of the strabismus is small, the strabismus is likely to resolve spontaneously (this is the case in many cases caused by circulatory problems), or surgery is not possible. It may be possible to eventually incorporate this prismatic correction into the spectacle lenses themselves.

3. Botox injections: Botulinum toxin is a drug which if injected into a muscle causes it to become weakened for 3-4 months. It is frequently used in the management of patients with strabismus. Once the eye has been completely numbed with anesthetic drops, the Botox is injected directly into the appropriate eye muscle using a very fine needle. This procedure is carried out in the clinic. It is commonly used in the following situations:

• to straighten the eyes when further surgery is not possible;

• to straighten poorly sighted eyes which are unlikely to stay in a straight position after strabismus surgery;

• to assess the risk of a patient developing double vision following strabismus surgery. By temporarily straightening the eyes with Botox, ophthalmologists can assess whether a patient is likely to develop troublesome double vision following surgery.

1. Surgery: In many cases of strabismus, surgery is the only effective treatment. The aims of strabismus surgery are:

• to eliminate double vision if present

• to improve three-dimensional vision

• to eliminate an abnormal head posture

• improvement of psychosocial function

• improvement of vocational status

Strabismus surgery is not a “cosmetic” procedure but should more appropriately be considered as reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery (such as in facelifts, etc.) alters a normal appearance, whereas reconstructive surgery changes an abnormal appearance to one that is more normal.

Strabismus treatment for children is performed on the basis of the following criteria:
•    The child’s age, general health, and medical history
•    The child’s tolerance for specific treatments
•    The cause of strabismus
•    The type of strabismus and its severity

Note: Treatment may include one or more of the following:
•    Eyeglasses or prism glasses
•    Eye drops
•    Eye exercises
•    Using the eye patching on one or both eyes alternately; (If the patient suffers from lazy eye too, this method helps to correct it too.)
•    Surgery: If the ophthalmologist diagnoses that other treatments are not successful, surgery will be the safest and most effective treatment for strabismus.

Duration of Your Stay in Iran Up to 3 days after surgery

A strabismus surgery cost in Iran is approximately $1,600 for two muscles and $1800 for three muscles.

 

Preoperative Preparation

1. You should undergo a thorough clinical examination.

2. Wash your eyes and eyelids.

3. Avoid eating and drinking for 8 hours before surgery.

Postoperative Care

•  Monitoring must continue until you have recovered from the effects of anesthesia.

  •    Rest at home for at least 2 days.

  •    Avoid activities in which the eye may be poked, rubbed or touched.

  •    Take the pain relief medications that your ophthalmologist has prescribed.

  •    Avoid swimming for at least two weeks.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Strabismus Surgery in Iran

1. What is strabismus surgery?

Strabismus surgery is a medical procedure used to correct misalignment of the eyes, also known as “crossed eyes” or “lazy eye”. The surgery involves adjusting the muscles that control eye movement to improve alignment. The primary goal is to enhance eye coordination, allowing both eyes to focus on the same object simultaneously.

2. Who is a candidate for strabismus surgery?

Candidates for strabismus surgery are individuals with persistent misalignment of the eyes that cannot be corrected with non-surgical methods such as glasses, eye patches, or vision therapy. The surgery is often recommended for both children and adults.

3. What causes strabismus in adults?

 Approximately 4% of adults have misaligned eyes. Strabismus in adults can develop for many reasons, such as:

• The most common type of adult strabismus involves patients with misaligned eyes from childhood. This problem starts at a time when the patient can suppress (that is, ‘turn off’) one eye and thus avoid double vision. These patients may have undergone surgery to realign their eyes in childhood but the eyes have subsequently drifted inwards or outwards again.

• Weakness of one or more eye muscles caused by damage to the nerves which stimulate the muscles. This usually results in the sudden onset of double vision caused by the eyes becoming misaligned. Circulatory problems are the most common cause of this type of strabismus, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Inflammation of these nerves, head injuries (often caused by road traffic accidents or falls), or rarely direct pressure on the nerves by a tumor, can also cause this type of strabismus.

• Poor vision in one eye for whatever reason may eventually cause that eye to drift outwards or inwards.

• Inflammation of the eye muscles can cause these muscles to become stiff and this may lead to strabismus and double vision. Thyroid eye disease is an example of such a condition.

4. How is strabismus treatment in Iran performed?

During strabismus treatment in Iran, the eye muscles are adjusted to improve the alignment of the eyes. During the procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the tissue surrounding the eye and adjusts the position of the eye muscles. Strabismus surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can take between 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of misalignment and the specific muscles requiring adjustment.

5. What is the recovery process after strabismus surgery?

After strabismus surgery, patients may experience some discomfort, redness, and swelling in the eyes. It is important to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon, which may include using eye drops, wearing an eye patch, and avoiding strenuous activities for a period of time.

6. What are the success rates of strabismus surgery?

The success of strabismus surgery varies depending on the individual case and the severity of the eye misalignment. In general, the majority of patients experience improved eye alignment and may require additional treatments such as glasses or vision therapy to achieve optimal results.

7. What are the risks and complications of strabismus surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, strabismus surgery carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, and over- or under-correction of the eye alignment. There is also a small risk of developing double vision following the surgery.