Child Squint Surgery
(The following information is given to patients at the Eye Treatment Centre on the day of surgery, it is also available on our pdf page.)
Who is involved?
Paediatric ophthalmologist:
A surgeon specialised in treating childrens eye problems.
Orthoptist:
A professional trained in the assessment of vision and squints in children.
Anaesthetist:
A doctor specialised in giving an anaesthetic and pain control.
Paediatric ward nurse:
A nurse specialised in dealing with children who have had operations.
Pre-assessment
This is an appointment prior to surgery where your child will see three of the above specialists. The angle of the squint will be re-measured and you will have the opportunity to discuss the surgery involved with the surgeon. A paediatric nurse specialist will discuss the general health of your child.
Day of surgery
We need you to attend the Eye Treatment Centre with your child at 8am. They must not eat or drink anything from midnight before the operation. On arrival your child will be seen by the anaesthetist who will check their general health and make themselves familiar to the child. One adult is allowed with the child while they are given the anaesthetic. The operation takes between ¾ and 1 ½ hours depending on the surgery involved. Your child will be woken up in an area called recovery. Once awake your child will be returned to you on the ward and will be offered something to eat and drink. After 2 hours if the nurses are happy you can take your child home. The operation is not painful, but can be uncomfortable so paracetamol and ibuprofen are good painkillers to have at home. Your child’s eyes will be uncomfortable and sore immediately after surgery and they will want to keep them closed for a few hours. The whites of the eyes will be pink for 2 to 3 weeks – the stitches dissolve on their own.
Post-operative follow-up
You will be given eye drops to put in which will help to settle the swelling as quickly as possible, though important they are not essential if causing a lot of distress.
Your child is not allowed to swim for two weeks to reduce the risk of infection.
They will be seen in the eye clinic two weeks after the operation to check the eye is settling down and again at three months to check on the final position of the eyes.
Who is involved?
Paediatric ophthalmologist:
A surgeon specialised in treating childrens eye problems.
Orthoptist: A professional trained in the assessment of vision and squints in children.
Anaesthetist:
A doctor specialised in giving an anaesthetic and pain control.
Paediatric ward nurse:
A nurse specialised in dealing with children who have had operations.
Pre-assessment
This is an appointment prior to surgery where your child will see three of the above specialists. The angle of the squint will be re-measured and you will have the opportunity to discuss the surgery involved with the surgeon. A paediatric nurse specialist will discuss the general health of your child.
Day of surgery
We need you to attend the Eye Treatment Centre with your child at 8am. They must not eat or drink anything from midnight before the operation. On arrival your child will be seen by the anaesthetist who will check their general health and make themselves familiar to the child. One adult is allowed with the child while they are given the anaesthetic. The operation takes between ¾ and 1 ½ hours depending on the surgery involved. Your child will be woken up in an area called recovery. Once awake your child will be returned to you on the ward and will be offered something to eat and drink. After 2 hours if the nurses are happy you can take your child home. The operation is not painful, but can be uncomfortable so paracetamol and ibuprofen are good painkillers to have at home. Your child’s eyes will be uncomfortable and sore immediately after surgery and they will want to keep them closed for a few hours. The whites of the eyes will be pink for 2 to 3 weeks – the stitches dissolve on their own.
Post-operative follow-up
You will be given eye drops to put in which will help to settle the swelling as quickly as possible, though important they are not essential if causing a lot of distress.
Your child is not allowed to swim for two weeks to reduce the risk of infection.
They will be seen in the eye clinic two weeks after the operation to check the eye is settling down and again at three months to check on the final position of the eyes.
Eye Treatment Centre, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, England, UK