Day 1 – I woke up in the morning to mucus encrusted on my eyelid, gluing it shut. That was great fun trying to remove it (I used cotton-balls soaked in warm water). After that, I got a look at my eyes for the first time. It was very bloody red. Also, I think it was swollen because my operated eye was noticeably smaller than my non-operated eye. I do think my eyes are straight!! I also have a bruise on the back of my hand where the IV was established.
As for pain, I can’t say it is really pain, but more a bit of a discomfort here and there. It’s not bothering me yet. I do notice however, that the general anesthesia effects haven’t fully left me yet. Today, I feel slower, clumsier (I’m dropping stuff after picking it up), a tad unsteady in my steps at times, and a bit uncoordinated. I am failing at applying my eyedrops. I can’t seem to get the eyedrops in my eye. The bottle is so small and so expensive I am afraid I was going to waste the entire bottle just trying. I’m supposed to apply the eyedrops 4 times a day, so I randomly chose 4 times that I would try to stick to (9am, 1:30pm, 6pm, 10pm).
Also, my discharge instructions tell me to use cold compress on my operated eye for 15 minutes every hour for the first 48 hours while awake. I am trying to do this and I keep falling asleep. Despite feeling energized after waking at midnight, I don’t think my body is 100% normal yet. Maybe the anesthesia will pass by tomorrow?
Also, I was so tried yesterday that I didn’t even realize there were 2 heart monitor stickers still stuck on me until I took a shower this morning and saw it. My appetite was great today; I ate breakfast and a hearty lunch without feeling any nausea.
Today, I just ate, slept, and went to my post-op appointment. I took a full week off from work; hopefully the full week won’t be like this.
Post-Surgery Recovery Kit and Souvenirs: gauze pads, 3M micropore tape, white basin from the hospital for cold compresses; a tiny box of tissues from the hospital, eye drops, pain medication, my hospital bracelet, the 2 heart monitor stickers I found still taped to me the next morning after surgery, and a blue folder of information package, including my discharge instructions
Day 2 – Woke up at 10:30am today (Wow, I can really get used to sleeping in very easily) to encrusted eyes glued shut again, but much less than yesterday. Also, I think the pain medication from the anesthesia (or adrenaline from the whole surgery event) might be wearing off because my eyes are more sore today and I keep wanting to squint so that the operated eye is closed. Eyes are still very red. The cold compresses seem to help with the discomfort.
I went out to run some errands for 2 hours (with sunglasses on to hide my red eyes and because I didn’t want to experience any light sensitivity), then came home and napped for 2 hours. Then I went to bed at 10pm. I really am sleeping a lot. My mind is clearer, but I don’t think I’m 100% there yet.
Oh another note, I finally got a grasp on applying my eyedrops thanks to a youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJjxRxoU8V0)
Day 3 – Still woke up to a tiny bit of sticky eyes, but big improvement from yesterday already. Eyes feel a lot better and aren’t as sore. There is still soreness if I try to turn my eyes left and right. As a result, if I want to see something that way, I am turning my head instead of my eyes. Also, I noticed my eyes feel so much better with hardly any soreness if I lie down on my bed.
Day 4 – Woke up to negligible amount of sticky eyes, mostly just on the inner and outer corners of the eye. Today, I noticed some yellowing in the whites of my eyes. I hope that is a sign of healing (as in when a bruise turns yellowish before disappearing) and not an eye problem. I also notice that my vision on the operated eye is weaker than it was before the surgery. I am also feeling very clumsy. I bumped into 2 strangers accidentally today when coming out of different stores. I am tempted to call my surgeon, but I’ll try to refrain. I do think my eyes are able to open up fully today and match the size of my non-operated eye.
Dying to go for some exercise, but I have this irrational fear that if I jump or move wildly, the stitches might come lose. I went out for much of the day today, but I came home around 5:30pm and was very tired.
Day 5 – Woke up with clean eyes. I think I can say today is the first day I feel for the most part, back to almost normal. The operated eye’s eyesight is still pretty poor, but I no longer feel unsteady at all when taking steps outdoors. There is a big improvement to the coloring of my eyes. It is no longer bloodshot red. It’s just a light pink now, so it won’t scare strangers away thinking you have contagious conjunctivitis, but if I turn my eye all the way left or right, the corners are still quite red. I think I feel confident going back to work now without having all my co-workers question my red eye. But I am I took a few more vacation days though because my eyes do get tired if I read small font on the computer too long.
I went out in the sun without sunglasses today and surprisingly, I wasn’t photosensitive. I also wanted to get back to a little exercising, so I took a Zumba class today without problems.
Adult Strabismus Surgery Experience 
Thank you. This has been really helpful to me, on day 2 after my surgery. It was really hard to find any information about whether the discomfort was “normal”.
I’m really glad that someone found my journal helpful. I wish you a very good recovery. I am now 11 months after surgery and so far so good, I think 🙂
Thanks, glad you are OK after your surgery. I hadn’t expected it to be so painful for this long, as the doctors suggested it would be relatively pain-free. I also hadn’t expected double vision to be worse post-op! Fingers crossed it’s short-term.
Hi, just had the surgery, and it was so helpful to read your log. I also hadn’t expected the recovery to be quite so long and at times what I could only describe as a mix of slight pain and discomfort (esp when blinking)
Wishing you all the best in your recovery! How long has it been since your surgery?
Had surgery on Fri evening and it’s now Mon morning, so am on day 3 of recovery. What I find really strange is how wierd things look at times, Alice in Wonderland meets a Van Gough painting – the world is all angles and jutting ends!! Guess it must be a type of depth perception as a result of aligning the eyes?? Did you experience this?
No, I didn’t gain any 3D perception as a result of the surgery. I think I’ve been using just one eye at a time for too long (since I was about 2!) that my brain got used to it. I did have blurry/weakened vision for about 3 weeks to a month? That was kinda disturbing to me b/c I didn’t expect that but doctor ensured me that was normal. I have now regained all vision acuity.
thank goodness you wrote about blurriness. I had surg 3 days ago, and so blurry. I thoought well I am realigned but blind. So, thank you. Also a lot of antibiotic in my eye that most likely caused the blur too.
LOL. Yes, the blurriness is pretty normal. All the best on your recovery 🙂
Im recovering from Strabismus Surgery after a first surgery that caused double vision from a neutral straight positioning of my head. I felt the Dr made a complete mistake. Im still scared. As the result from the initial surgery, the doctor decided to put the muscle back to where she left it. I had to wear a prism for 3 months until the eye healed then the time to put the muscle back with another surgery. Anyway if that at all makes sense, I just had surgery 3 weeks ago, I dont have to wear a prism as I have to position my head slight right then I can see one picture. I cannot see far right without double vision. I am scared the dr only moved the muscle half way back and I have double vision still. The regrets are going through my head why I even decided to get the surgery in the first place is haunting me, it feels like a curse. When I wake up first thing morning it takes me a few hours to adjust and positioning my head for one picture. As the day goes on I notice my eye are a slight better. I try to do exercises for range as I feel the surgery I have to retrain my eye muscles. Everything Im reading says results can take 3 months depending on person and sutures will be fully dissolved. Im 31 years old male fit. I make sure my eyes are not dry with Systane eye drops, I await everyday hoping to get my eyes back full range no double vision. The thoughts run through my head. Questions like. If after three months I feel Im not corrected do I have another surgery? How much will it damage my eye? The Dr mentioned possibly operating on the other side of eye to loosen the muscle? Im from Calgary, AB Canada. Do I seek the best medical attention out of country? Free health care does not mean great healthcare. I understand the Surgeons are booked solid. They are human and can make mistakes as I will be taken care of by the healthcare system helps this Dr sleep at night. Im just scared, trying to stay strong for my loved ones. 3 weeks waiting for 3 months Im hoping results. I understand there may be no 100 percent but Im hoping 80 percent. Right not it feels like 55 percent. I feel like something man-made was taken away from me, I have a disability
Contact me if you are going on multiple surgeries. Any advice on healing. I know it starts with me.
nl_homer@hotmail.com
I had a detached retina 13 months ago. Following a vitrectomy and slow acting gas in eye for months, I had pretty severe double vision and my left eye was hung up and to the outside (away from nose). It was hoped it would self correct in several months, as it sometimes does. Mine did not. I was eventually fit with a fresnel prism on top of crazy prescription. Anyone who put those glasses on was just amazed that my vision could require something that wild.
I had my first strabismus surgery Feb 28th. It improved things, but not significantly. The surgeon moved on repositioned one muscles after needing to unravel it – it had become wound around and attached to the belt buckled around the eye by the vitrectomy surgery May 2012.
I had a successful second strabismus surgery on May 23rd. He repositioned two different muscles on my left eye. After the surgery, the lid was quite swollen and my vision was also occluded by the steroid ointment, so I did not have a good look at the eye or try to evaluate vision for quite a few days. I saw Dr 6 days after surgery. I will see him again on June 20th. Meanwhile, he has asked me not to strain eyesight, nor to fatigue the eye with too much reading. I am not wearing the fresnel prism nor any prescription glasses during this period.
I am able to see in 3-D when looking forward, up, down and to the right.
I still have double vision when looking left, but it is not nearly as disruptive as it was previously.
I have improved depth perception and improved periphery visions.
The deeper color saturation that the left eye produced visually (the repaired eye) no longer exists – both eyes have the same color saturation.
In addition, my eyes look much better aligned when you look at me.
Needless to say, I am delighted with these results so far. It is not perfect, nor as good as before the vitrectomy, but it is better than predicted.
When I awaken, I have double vision again, but after 45-60 minutes, my brain and eye have worked it out so that I am seeing only one image, usually in 3-D. I assume this morning routine will become shorter and shorter as the brain adjusts?
Sounds like a success!!! I’m so happy for you 🙂 I had no idea 2 strabismus surgeries could be performed just 3 months apart. I think you are able to see 3-D because you were always able to see 3-D until about 13 months ago or so. Those who are unable to see 3-D are those who likely have had strabismus since they were very young and their eye was never fully corrected. I’m dying to see 3-D!!! All those 3-D movies mean nothing to me so far.
I’m due for surgery on July 3, on both eyes. My right eye is far worse than my left, but there’s a deviation in both. They think I’ve had a slight deviation in both eyes since childhood, but this past fall (coincidentally, or so they say, right after I recovered from uveitis in both eyes) it got the point where I couldn’t compensate for it. Anyway, surgery at Mass Eye & Ear on 7/3. Thanks very much for your blog – you’ve given me a good sense of what to expect!
I wish you good luck, hope it went well!
Hello, my name is Curtis and I am a person with Strabismus. I am 28 years old and was just recently diagnosed with this condition a year and a half ago. I have always had a bit of a lazy right eye, however as of a year and a half ago, I noticed discomfort in this eye, which has now led to severe pain in this eye. I have seen a local Ophthalmologist with regards to this pain, he diagnosed me with Strabismus, however referred me to a doctor in Surrey (Dr. Cline) for treatment options. Dr. Cline and I discussed the possibility of surgery, but he thought that a prism patch over my right lens would be more suitable in correcting the pain and misalignment. Fast forward a year later, I am in Chronic pain with my right eye despite the aid that I use for it. I am one month away from completing my BSW degree and I am at my wits end with this pain. I had to medically withdrawal from one of my practicums because of the pain, I am unable to read a text book because of the pain, writing essay papers is painful, sitting here typing on a computer is extremely painful, driving is the most painful, my life is enveloped with this constant pain. I am fatigued everyday after my practicum, as I sleep in my bed as soon as I get home. My question to all of you is: Have you felt pain like this before going into Strabismus Surgery???? I feel like I am the only one!!??
Hello Curtis, i’m sorry, I just stumbled across this site…yes, I had pain like that before my surgery, the eye muscle was pulling so hard that it was painful…had surgery on oct 2 and things look pretty good, my eye is still red 3 weeks later, but it is much better…I would do the surgery again, if need bee.
I read your journal. I am having surgery this Wednesday the 30th of October. Feeling very nervous with a lot of anxiety. Were you able to use your glasses and see out of them right after surgery? I’m just afraid I’m not going to have vision with my classes I do have. I have prisms In them now. so this is supposed to take those away just wondering what the outcome going to be. As far as the pain did you have pain meds or just use over the counter. Any help you could give me. I greatly appreciate it.
Hi! All the very best on your surgery 🙂 I was able to use my glasses right away after surgery and see out of them fine, but I never had prisms in my glasses, so my case if different from yours. The doctor prescribed me Tylenol 3 in case I wanted to take it, but luckily I didn’t have to use it at all, not even over the counter medicine. I slept a lot the first week though (maybe due to the anesthesia or maybe due to tired eyes), but the pain was very very tolerable.
Hi Jody..very normal to be nervous and anxious, but it will be fine…yes, I could see immediately after waking up, in fact I had to put my glasses on so the surgeon could do fine tuning with the sutures…..the only thing I was given for pain or discomfort was Tylenol, and it did the job just fine. Sending good thoughts your way for tomorrow!!!!
Hi Jody, I had strabismus surgery at the end of May. I didn’t need any pain meds on the other side. I could see right away. Not only did I no longer need the frennel prism on the left lens, I didn’t need the glasses at all. I had quite extreme double vision, no depth perception and peripheral vision on the left prior to the strabismus surgery (all came about after a vitrectomy for a detached retina the previous May) I was advised to help my brain adjust by not overtaxing my vision in any single way for the first month. Sleeping at length was fine, of course. But I was tod to read for 15 minutes, then do something with vision in the distance (watch TV, look at deer on the hillside) for 15 minutes. Work on the computer for 15 minutes, fold clothes, weed garden, you get the idea. You’ll have an opportunity to ask your surgeon.
Good luck!
thanks everybody for the input I have my surgery on Wednesday the 30th of October 2013 I had very good success and able to wear my glasses as normal. However I had a lot of discomfort and pulling off the Eyes when trying to look Sharply to one side. However lots of pressure upon waking. Above my eyes. Also lots of matting in the morning. Still wanting ice compression on them often. Still very bloody both eyes.. but seeing great!
Did anyone notice black veiney looking things close to the colored part of eye? Going to call Dr tomorrow. So this is day 4 post op
Hi Everyone, nice to find this blog. Had my surgery Nov 19, for esotropia in both eyes and hypertropia in one. I didn’t really have any social issues where others noticed my wandering eyes (I hid it well, yet it was annoying to deal with nevertheless as it caused me other problems). I was aware of it for decades (I am 45) and figured I would just live with it. Until… Twice, they stuck in the crossed position – once, recently while driving – so I pretty much was forced to do something about it. Surgery itself was a breeze; it’s the aftercare that’s a pain. A week later I am still experiencing some double vision, but the redness has decreased a lot. I experienced that muscle ‘pulling’ sensation for maybe a day or so earlier on. But the biggest complaint I have is feeling the sutures, which started sometime on Day 5 – feels like my eyes are being stabbed by pins and needles when I turn them in various angles! Argghh! During my follow-up yesterday, my doc says everything looks great (had my eyes numbed before I would let anyone check my vision!). His advice was Tylenol, PLUS keep the eyedrops chilled – the coolness should help to relieve them, which does indeed help some. It’s Day 8, and that seems to be subsiding, thankfully. I have a black veiny thing, too, next to my iris – it’s a suture. Figured it was, though I admit at first I panicked because I thought a piece of my blanket got in there in my sleep! If anyone is looking into this surgery and lives in the San Diego area, I went to David Bruce Granet, MD (pediatric ophtholomologist) at UCSD / Shiley Eye Complex. He is very highly recommended, and folks from as far as Europe come to him for treatment. I was very happy with him and his team. Happy healing, everyone. 😉
I need to have strabismus surgery AND cataract surgery, does anyone know which would be best to do first? And how long to wait between? We have no insurance, so trying to figure as much out beforehand as possible to save extra costs for extra office visits. Thanks for any info!
Hi deb. I have cataracts but they are not too bad yet. I had strabismus surgery last October and it is wonderful to have straight eyes and no double vision. Eventually I will need cataract surgery but will hold off until my eyes can’t be corrected with glasses. The best answer is to ask a dr, but if your strabismus is severe, like mine was, I’d get the strabismus surgery first, it is life changing. You can google websites to find costs in your area. Mine was done in an outpatient surgical center and my ophthalmologist included follow up costs in his fee. Best wishes to you.
Hi, I am in my 20s and have had strabismus all my life. Had surgery when I was very young and then again in my teens. The last surgery in 2001 left me with improved strabismus, but double vision for the first time ever. Over the years, the double vision has gotten better (b/c I am now mainly using my right eye and my left eye has become very nearsighted and lazy). Recently I have noticed that my strabismus is getting much worse (left eye is wandering off a lot). An opthalmologist just confirmed today that the strabismus has gotten worse and is starting to talk about possible surgery to correct the strabismus, but my understanding is that then my double-vision might get worse again. So torn… Has anyone with a similar story had surgery for strabismus correction primarily and then the double-vision got better/worse as a result? Also, how many days off “work”/”school” do you need to take to recover from strabismus surgery?
Hi JP – I don’t have experience with double-vision strabismus, but when I had my surgery, I took a week and a half off. If I had to, I think I could have gone back to work on day 4 or so, but I took extra days so the red would go down more. I didn’t want people to ask what happened. By a week and a half, it was only very very slightly red.
Thank you. That’s helpful to know. In med school and can’t easily take time off … and get no vacation the next two years other than Christmas, so not entirely sure how to fit in surgery…
Did your doctor require you to wear protective glasses after your surgery?
No I wasn’t required. I wore sunglasses outdoors for the first week only because I was embarrassed by the redness of my eye, not because I was required to.
Hi! I have had double vision since I can remember and am having surgery on Monday to hopefully sort it out as it has really begun to bug me over the past two years. I am so nervous though; I’ve had eye surgery before (cataract) but I was too young to remember properly so that doesn’t help. I’m starting uni less than two weeks after my op which is my biggest worry. I just don’t want it to still be painful or bright red when I start my course (also I hope the double vision doesn’t get worse!!). 😦
I did find this post and comments reassuring to read though 🙂
All the very best for your upcoming surgery! I think pain should have subsided, but eyes might be a bit pink in 2 weeks, but at least it won’t be bloodshot red.
I am 61 years old. I have had strabismus surgery 4 times sense I was five. I had the last surgery four months ago, My eye is beet red and very irritated. I have it closed most of the time, witout intention it is just that irritated. My Dr had family emergency so I have not been able to see him. I have seen his co Dr’s. twice was put on antibiotic for eye has done nothing. About a month after surgery one night I had severe pain in eye.Felt like a knife stabbing my eye. I have had other issued in health that had severe pain, this pain I literally called out to God to help me. Seeing original Dr in two weeks. I can’t figure this out. I use drops I was told to get non stop. I to am in school, this is frigging upsetting. I go to get my eye straightened out and end up walking around with eye severely red hurting and closed!
Linda, get into see the operating surgeon if possible tomorrow. If not see another one. You need to be looked at immediately. Maybe a suture is irritating your eye? Who knows. You should not be in this much pain. Best to you.
Hi Cara, I am having strabismus surgery for exotropia in both eyes in December and I am super nervous. I’ve never had surgery before. I’ve arranged to have a week off work so I hope my recovery is relatively fast. My doctor doesn’t think I will have double vision after a week or so. How long after the surgery were you able to drive again?
Hi, I did not have double vision, my vision was great post surgery. My eye was red for several weeks, but I was able to drive in a weeks time. Best wishes to you.
I hd my strabismus surgery on 10 oct,2014. Rednes is stil dr. Bt it luks lik d retina of d operatd eye is nt as round as d other. Wil dis b alryt fter sum wikr
hi guys. has anyone needed the muscle surgery due to orbital decompression of graves disease? I’ve got double vision from the disease as well as from the decompression. I’ve seen a strabismus surgeon at U of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, and I’m going to be setting up strabismus surgery to try to correct the double vision. I’m struggling with swollen eye muscles with some scarring – so that’s what they are trying to correct. I was wondering about the ‘adjustable suture’ process where your surgeon adjusts your eyes when you wake up in recovery. I am not a good patient. I have VERY high anxiety about even getting my blood drawn – let alone IV / surgery. I’m totally scared that I won’t be able to handle the surgeon messing around with adjustible stitches while I’m trying to get the heck out of the recovery room/hospital as soon as humanly possible. Nervous stomach – nervous adreneline – just OMG…. can anyone expand on these things? It would help! Cynthia 🙂
hi,i had strabismus surgery a week ago today and i dont know if its healing properly,a stitch came out lastnight which was okay but tonight the other stiches feel tight and look funny,im not sure whether their all dissolving.i hope i dont have a retained suture
what was you experience with your stitches by day 7 after?
Honestly, I couldn’t see any stitches on my eye at all. I think calling your doctor and asking would be the best solution. All the very best Emma!
Have my surgery wed. 01282015…your daily notes were very helpful on what I might expect. Thank you!!! Got the strabismus due to motorcycle wreck which caused 6th optical nerve damage…MRI said wont heal on its own. So here goes the very last step to complete recovery after coma..rehab for a year…and TBI…Yea! !!!
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Wow you’ve been through a lot. All the very best on your surgery. Good luck!
Hi
I appreciated the time you put into your blog. Thank you.
I have questions for you. I have very similar condition with the alternating. How does only having one eye does fix the turning of the other eye? I dont see 3D, My right eye is dominant, I suppress so dont see 2 images. Was patched as a kid but started to suppress. I am confused by your results as you said glasses corrects your turn. At which point? When you focus with the other eye not worked on? Is the turn very minor that since you lived with it, recognize it more so feel it is still a turn that the average person would not notice, or is the turn where you were before or someplace in between?
Would you be kind enough to provide a 2015 update in your main section of the blog?
Thanks for the brief story in regards to what is was like. I am on day 2 and the pain is already getting easier to deal with. I work night shift but got five days off. My operated eye is visibly smaller and red but the eye looks straight. My eye looks like Boxer’s eye after being punched by Evander Holyfield. It has a mouse and grey color under it.
I do my follow up in two days and will go back to work wearing a pair of “Star Trek” looking eye shades..
After 6 days there something white stuff coming out from corners of my eyes.. What is it..?? also 1 question when u try to concentrate with ur operated eye does ur other eye looks lil cross..??
I’m scheduled to have surgery in a week…my condition is one eye experiencing esotropia (turns inward). It’s not severe and really not noticeable to most people looking at me unless they’re a distance from me at which point, my eye obviously turns inward – even through my prescription glasses that have prism lenses in the glass. It causes me a lot of stress in any situation where there is a lot of commotion around me: driving, walking through crowds, trying to focus on multiple things (the peripheral and depth perception is really messed up). I guess I’ve had this condition since I was a kid (I’m in my mid-40s now) and it wasn’t until a little over a year ago when I started to have a noticeable problem. So I recently decided to go forward with the surgery for alignment. I’m really stressed because I’m afraid of over/under correction but my doctor assures me that I shouldn’t have any issues. She’s been doing these surgeries for several years – on children, mainly.
Anyhow, I’m glad to read what everyone has included in this blog as it’s given me a bit more confidence regarding recovery and things to expect. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like we have a similar story. I had the surgery twice, actually 3 procedures each surgery. The “third” procedure during surgery was done because one eye was aimed very slightly higher/lower than the other which I never noticed till doc pointed it out. And no one ever knew I had the problem to begin with – my eyes would “snap back” if I had been daydreaming and someone started talking to me.
One day while driving my eyes suddenly crossed against my will. If was for only a brief time, but it was very scary and in that case very dangerous. I remember a severe aching head afterwards. I made an appointment to get checked out immediately. First surgery lasted only a couple years. Had the second one last year and hope it sticks although there is that chance I will need it again, just hopefuly not earlier than a decade from now (I am almost 50).
Recovery was quite difficult for me, esp the first time, when it was more lengthy. This was unexpected as I was always one to bounce back. Your mileage may very. I will tell you this: I would not hesitate to get the surgery again if/when my eyes/vision bother me and/or I feel self-conscious. Of note: my eyes appreared “overcorrected” for the first several days but then everything quickly “settled”. Don’t be alarmed if this happens, it will go away. Definitely take the medicine exactly as directed to ensure proper healing and go to all follow up appointments.
By the way, this surgery is more commonly performed on babies. But I had developed my problem in my teens and very, very slowly it grew increasingly worse with age to where I could no longer ignore it. Regardless, I was still an ideal candidate. You will be fine.
Thanks for sharing your story, EDK. I’m sorry that you had to under go a few surgeries and that recovery was a bit tough. I am also generally quick to heal but I guess only time will tell 🙂
I do appreciate the heads up regarding the over-correction as the new alignment settles. As I come to learn, I’ve never had binocular vision so I expect there will be an adjustment period as my brain re-learns.
I’m looking forward to being able to drive without having to block one eye!