Strabismus Treatment and Surgery in Turkey
What is Strabismus and How is Strabismus Surgery Performed?
Strabismus surgery in Turkey treats eye misalignment (commonly known as crossed eyes or squint), a condition in which both eyes fail to align on the same visual target simultaneously. One eye may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia). Beyond facial symmetry and eye-contact confidence, correcting strabismus is vital for preventing lazy eye (amblyopia) in children and eliminating double vision (diplopia) in adults.
Ophthalmic surgeon Op. Dr. Selim Güldiken performs precision strabismus surgery for both children and adults under general anesthesia, utilizing micro-surgical extraocular muscle recession and resection techniques with absorbable sutures.
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) Surgery in Turkey: Clinical Summary
Understanding the Causes of Strabismus
Understanding the underlying cause of strabismus is the first step toward effective treatment. The condition is fundamentally a problem with eye muscle control, preventing the eyes from working together as a coordinated pair. Several factors can contribute to its development, and pinpointing the specific cause is a key part of our diagnostic process.
- Congenital and Developmental Factors: Many cases of strabismus are present at birth or develop within the first few years of life. This is often due to an imbalance in the tone or strength of the extraocular muscles, which are the muscles responsible for controlling eye movement. Sometimes, the brain's control center for these muscles may be underdeveloped.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected refractive errors are a common cause of strabismus, especially in children. High hyperopia (farsightedness) can cause the eyes to over-focus to see clearly, leading to a constant inward turn of one or both eyes (accommodative esotropia).
- Neurological Conditions: Certain neurological conditions can affect the nerves that control eye muscles, leading to misalignment. Examples include cerebral palsy, brain tumors, or stroke, which can cause sudden-onset strabismus in both children and adults.
- Trauma: Physical injury to the eye or head can damage the nerves or muscles responsible for eye alignment, leading to strabismus.
- Other Eye Conditions: Conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal diseases can impair vision in one eye, causing the brain to suppress the visual input from that eye and leading to it drifting out of alignment.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Strabismus
The symptoms of strabismus can vary depending on a person’s age and the severity of the condition. In young children, a parent or caregiver may notice the misalignment directly, but some symptoms are less obvious and may be mistaken for other issues.
- Visible Eye Misalignment: The most obvious sign is when one eye turns in a direction different from the other. This can be constant or only occur when the child is tired or sick.
- Squinting or Closing One Eye: Children may squint or close one eye in bright sunlight or when trying to focus, which is a way of eliminating the double vision they experience.
- Head Tilting: To compensate for the misalignment and avoid double vision, a person may consistently tilt their head to one side.
- Loss of Depth Perception: The brain's inability to merge images from both eyes into a single, three-dimensional image results in poor depth perception and hand-eye coordination. This can make simple tasks like catching a ball or judging distances difficult.
- Double Vision (Diplopia): While children's brains often adapt by suppressing the image from the misaligned eye, adults with recent-onset strabismus frequently experience double vision.
- Eye Strain and Headaches: Constant effort to align the eyes can lead to eye fatigue and persistent headaches.
Diagnosing strabismus requires a thorough examination by an experienced ophthalmologist. The evaluation includes a visual acuity test, refraction test, and a detailed assessment of eye movements and alignment.
The Strabismus Treatment Process
Early diagnosis is paramount for the most successful outcomes. The brain’s visual pathways are most adaptable in childhood, making early intervention critical.
- Non-Surgical Treatments: For certain types of strabismus, non-surgical options may be sufficient. These can include prescription glasses or prism lenses to help correct the misalignment, or eye exercises (vision therapy) to strengthen eye muscles and improve coordination.
- Strabismus Surgery: When other treatments are not enough, strabismus surgery is a highly effective option to permanently correct the eye alignment. The surgery involves adjusting the length or position of the eye muscles to restore binocular vision and improve a person's appearance. It is a common procedure performed on both children and adults.
The Surgical Process for Strabismus
During strabismus surgery in Turkey, the eyeball is never removed from its socket and the inside of the eye is not entered. Under general anesthesia, Op. Dr. Selim Güldiken accesses the extraocular muscles beneath the thin conjunctival membrane to restore balanced tension:
| Criterion | Pediatric Strabismus Surgery (Children) | Adult Strabismus Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Objective | Prevent amblyopia (lazy eye), develop 3D stereopsis & align eyes | Eliminate double vision (diplopia), restore alignment & social confidence |
| Anesthesia Type | General Anesthesia | General Anesthesia |
| Sutures Used | Absorbable (self-dissolving) sutures - No suture removal required | |
| Return to School / Work | 5 - 7 Days | 5 - 7 Days |
- Pre-Surgical Examination: Before the operation, a comprehensive eye exam is performed. This detailed evaluation helps to precisely determine which muscles need to be adjusted and by how much, ensuring a customized surgical plan.
- The Surgical Procedure: Strabismus surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis. It is usually done under general anesthesia, especially for children, and lasts between one and two hours, depending on the complexity. The surgeon makes a small incision in the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye) to access the eye muscles. No part of the eyeball is removed. The muscles are either strengthened (by shortening them) or weakened (by moving their attachment point further back on the eyeball). The goal is to carefully adjust the tension of the muscles to align the eyes.
- Recovery and Follow-Up: After the procedure, patients are monitored briefly before being allowed to return home the same day. Minor redness, swelling, and discomfort are common for a few days, and can be managed with prescribed eye drops. For our international patients, follow-up care is conveniently managed remotely. You will be asked to send photos of your eyes to our team, allowing us to monitor your recovery and ensure the eyes are healing in proper alignment without the need for an in-person visit. Full recovery and final results can take several weeks as the eye muscles settle into their new positions.
Why Choose Dr. Selim Güldiken for Your Strabismus Surgery in Turkey?
Choosing an experienced specialist is vital for a successful outcome in strabismus surgery. Dr. Selim Güldiken in Antalya, Turkey is a highly respected ophthalmologist specializing in a wide range of eye surgeries, including the complex field of strabismus.
With years of experience and a deep commitment to modern techniques, Dr. Selim uses the latest technology to achieve precise and long-lasting results for both children and adults. His approach is rooted in personalized care, ensuring each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their specific condition and needs. The clinic’s location in Antalya makes it a convenient and sought-after destination for patients seeking advanced strabismus treatment in Turkey. From initial diagnosis to post-operative care, Dr. Selim Güldiken and his team provide comprehensive support, helping to restore binocular vision, improve depth perception, and enhance the quality of life for his patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you perform strabismus surgery on both children and adults?
Yes. We regularly perform strabismus surgery on both pediatric (children) and adult patients. It is never too late to correct eye misalignment in adulthood.
What type of anesthesia is used for strabismus surgery?
Strabismus surgery is performed under general anesthesia for both children and adults, ensuring a completely painless experience and pinpoint surgical accuracy on the eye muscles.
Do stitches need to be removed after strabismus surgery?
No. We use special self-dissolving (absorbable) micro-sutures that naturally dissolve over a few weeks without needing removal.
How long does redness last after strabismus surgery?
Mild redness on the white surface of the eye is normal for the first 1-2 weeks and fades steadily with prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops.