Squint Surgery in Mumbai

What Is a Squint (Strabismus) Eye Condition?

A squint (also called strabismus) is a condition in which both eyes do not align in the same direction. While one eye looks straight, the other may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and may affect one or both eyes.

Squint in the eyes can appear at birth (congenital) or develop later in life due to refractive errors, nerve problems, or trauma. If untreated, it can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) and affect depth perception and appearance.

Can Squint Eyes Be Corrected?

Yes, squint eyes can be corrected. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the squint, the age of the patient, and whether it is constant or intermittent.

Non-surgical Treatment Options

In some cases, squint eye treatment can be managed without surgery, especially in children with certain types of squints:

• Glasses – Correct refractive errors and can straighten the eyes in accommodative esotropia.
• Patching therapy – Used to treat lazy eye (amblyopia) by covering the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker one.
• Eye exercises – May help in specific types of intermittent squints, particularly convergence insufficiency.

When Surgery Is Recommended

If non-surgical methods cannot fully correct the squint, squint eye surgery (strabismus surgery) may be advised. Surgery is usually required for constant squints, large-angle squints, or when cosmetic alignment is desired in adults.

Squint Treatment for Adults vs Children

• In children, the aim is both functional (developing binocular vision) and cosmetic. Early intervention gives better long-term results.
• In adults, the focus is often on cosmetic correction, eliminating double vision, and improving eye coordination. Squint surgery in adults can be very effective and safe.

How Is Squint Diagnosed?

A detailed squint eye test is essential to plan appropriate treatment. At Eye Solutions, a squint specialist performs:

• Visual acuity testing
• Refraction (power check)
• Ocular motility assessment
• Measurement of the squint angle using prisms
• Binocular vision testing
• Dilated eye examination to check the retina and optic nerve

This comprehensive evaluation helps decide whether surgery, glasses, or exercises are needed.

Squint Eye Surgery Explained

What Happens in Squint Eye Surgery?

Squint eye surgery involves repositioning the extraocular muscles – the muscles responsible for moving the eye. There are six muscles around each eye. Your squint specialist decides which muscles to strengthen, weaken, or reposition based on detailed measurements.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. The surgeon identifies the muscles to be operated on.
2. Sutures are passed through the muscle.
3. The muscle is detached from the eyeball and reattached at a new position.
4. This repositioning changes the alignment of the eyes.

Depending on the type and severity of the squint, one or more muscles may be operated on.

What Is the Best Age for Squint Eye Surgery?

Squint surgery can be performed from around 10–12 months of age onwards.

• Infantile squints are treated early to promote binocular vision development.
• Intermittent squints like exotropia are usually operated on when the deviation is present for more than 50% of waking hours.
• Adults can undergo surgery at any age – at Eye Solutions, we have successfully operated on patients well into their 50s who no longer wished to live with a squint.

Laser vs Traditional Squint Surgery

Squint surgery is traditionally performed using micro-surgical instruments under a microscope. Laser is not typically used to cut or reposition muscles. However, modern techniques involve very fine sutures, minimally invasive incisions, and faster recovery – sometimes mistakenly referred to as “laser squint surgery.”

Squint Surgery Before and After: What Changes?

The most noticeable change is eye alignment. Immediately after surgery, the eyes appear straighter, though they may look red for a few weeks. As the redness reduces, the improved alignment becomes clearer. In some cases, mild double vision may occur temporarily but usually resolves as the brain adjusts.

Many patients, both children and adults, experience a significant boost in confidence after surgery due to cosmetic improvement.

Anaesthesia for Squint Eye Surgery in Mumbai

At Eye Solutions, the choice of anaesthesia depends on the patient’s age and comfort:

• Local anaesthesia – Used for cooperative adults.
• General anaesthesia – Preferred for children and anxious patients.

There’s no strict age limit. A calm 17-year-old may be operated under local anaesthesia, while a nervous 19-year-old might need general anaesthesia.

What Is Adjustable Squint Surgery?

In traditional surgery, muscles are tied with permanent knots. In adjustable squint surgery, temporary “shoelace” knots are used. The next day, the surgeon can fine-tune the muscle position if needed, improving accuracy.

Adjustable surgery is especially useful for adults, as children are usually not cooperative for the adjustment step post-surgery.

Risks of Squint Operation

Squint surgery is generally very safe. However, like any surgery, rare complications can occur:

• Eyeball perforation – Rarely, the suture needle may go through the entire thickness of the sclera (white of the eye). If this happens, immediate treatment prevents long-term problems.
• Minor risks such as overcorrection or undercorrection may require a second surgery in the future.
• Very rarely, retinal complications can occur.

Your squint eye specialist is well-trained to avoid and manage these rare complications.

Squint Surgery in Adults: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. Many adults undergo strabismus surgery to correct long-standing squints. Benefits include:

• Improved cosmetic appearance
• Reduction or elimination of double vision
• Better eye coordination and field of vision
• Enhanced self-esteem and social confidence

Age is not a barrier to squint correction surgery.

Squint Eye Surgery Cost in India

At Eye Solutions, the squint surgery cost in Mumbai ranges from ₹70,000 to ₹1,75,000, depending on complexity and the number of muscles operated. Strabismus surgery cost with insurance depends on your plan; our team assists with documentation and claims.

Precautions After Squint Surgery

Squint surgery is extraocular – we don’t enter the eyeball, so the infection risk is minimal. Precautions are simple:

• Avoid head baths for 2 days after surgery.
• Use antibiotic eye drops and ointments for 3–4 weeks.
• Redness can persist for 3–4 weeks – this is normal.
• No need for strict activity restrictions like cataract surgery.

Post Surgery Care

• The operated eye may be bandaged for a few hours or overnight (especially in adjustable surgery).
• Continue wearing glasses if prescribed.
• Patching therapy may continue to treat amblyopia in children.
• Regular follow-ups are scheduled to monitor alignment and healing.
• Eye exercises after strabismus surgery may be recommended to strengthen binocular vision.

Success Rate of Squint Surgery

Globally, the success rate of squint eye surgery is around 80%. In some cases, more than one surgery may be required to achieve perfect alignment, especially in complex squints. Repeat surgeries are safe and commonly performed when needed.

Why Choose Eye Solutions for Squint Eye Correction?

• Expert Strabismologists with years of surgical experience
• State-of-the-art operating theatres and micro-surgical equipment
• Adjustable suture techniques for precision
• Transparent pricing and insurance assistance
• Personalised care for both children and adults

At Eye Solutions, we provide comprehensive squint eye treatment in Mumbai, from diagnosis to recovery.

Top Eye Specialists in Mumbai at Eye Solutions

Dr. Deepak Garg

MBBS, DNB, Squint Fellowship

Department

Cataract and Squint

Expertise

Cataract, Squint, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Myopia Control

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