Instructions After Strabismus Surgery

The eyes are usually not covered by a patch after strabismus surgery, but they will be protected by plastic goggles. This is to allow the brain to fuse the images from both eyes. Diplopia is to be expected on the first few days but should disappear eventually. Before the sutures lyse and completely fall off, there will be some foreign body sensation and itchiness. These sensations should disappear within a week.

Discharge papers should include the prescription for the eye medications as well as the instructions on how to apply them and how often. Daily personal hygiene is encouraged. The eyes can be wet during showers, but there should be no swimming for 2 weeks after surgery. Scratching the eyes should also be avoided. Prescription glasses (but not contact lenses) may be worn right after surgery.

It is very rare to need an ER visit after an eye procedure under general anesthesia. However, it should be considered when the patient is experiencing one of the following symptoms:

• intractable eye pain
• profuse eye bleeding
• proptosis or bulging of the eye
• recent onset blurring of vision or loss of vision

The eye doctor will place the date and time of the next clinic visit on the discharge papers. It is best to bring all discharge papers and all eye medications on the next clinic visit.