Yorum yapılmamışThe outward turning of our eyes is called exotropia. It is a condition in which one or both eyes turn outward, towards the ear. This can be continuous or only occasionally, i.e. variable.
In some of our patients, outward turning occurs only part of the day, especially when looking away or when distracted.
In some of our patients, the onset of strabismus is slow, exotropia, which is intermittent at first, increases over time and may become permanent.
Exotropia of the low vision eye
A significant portion of our exotropia patients have lazy eye, that is, patients with low vision in one eye. In patients with vision loss in one of the eyes, outward turning of the eye may occur over time. Unfortunately, this outward deviation is a major problem for a blind eye. For example, in a person who had trauma in one eye years ago, in a person with a problem in the nerve layer of one eye, or in a person with a permanent problem in the cornea, the eye may turn outward.
So, can the exotropia in the low vision eye be corrected with surgery?
We operate when there is exotropia due to vision loss and we achieve very successful results in many of our patients. Although low vision or lazy eye makes it difficult to achieve successful results by changing the surgical technique, it is still not impossible to get good results.
The problem of exotropia in a blind eye is more difficult to resolve. For this reason, we first conduct a detailed examination in such patients.
Exotropia Diagnosis
In addition to the routine eye examination, we also perform a detailed strabismus examination when our patients apply to us for strabismus. In this examination, we do some strabismus tests;
- visual acuity
- ocular motility
- 3D vision tests
- Near/ far deviation angle measurments
- diplopia tests
- fusion tests
Intermittent exotropia
In some of our patients, the onset of strabismus is slow, first of all, the occasional eye misalignment increases over time and becomes permanent. In these patients with good vision in both eyes, if exotropia gradually increases during the day, we may resort to surgery.
Another cause of exotropia is cranial nerve palsies. In these nerve palsies, the strabismus angle may increase in some gaze positions. Exotropia and upward deviation of the eye can be seen in fourth cranial nerve palsy. Another cause of exotropia is thyroid eye disease. Rarely, exotropia can be seen in those who have undergone esotropia (inwad strabismus) surgery in childhood.
Exotropia treatment
In the treatment of exotropia, we first treat the cause. We achieve very successful results, especially by weakening the lateral muscles and strengthening the medial muscles.
When we decide to correct the external eye deviation surgically, the important point is how many eye muscles will be intervened. We determine which eye this surgical intervention will be applied to and the amount of intervention approximately during the preoperative examination. It should be kept in mind that additional intervention may be required during and after the surgery.
How long does strabismus surgery take?
Our strabismus surgeries usually take around 1 hour. However, the situation is not the same in every patient. The duration of the operation also varies according to the intervention to be performed.
When can I work after strabismus surgery?
It is usually possible to return to work within 1 week after strabismus surgery.
