Very high myopia and strabismus surgery on my 3 year old

[momOfSidney]

Hello,

My adopted daughter was born premature with ROP that resolved on it's own. She has a -8.5 and -11.5 prescription on her left and right eyes but was always diagnosed with a very healthy retina.

Her eyes were turning outwards pretty bad and after consulting with three eye surgeons we decided to go ahead with strabismus surgery on 4 eye muscles. On her 1 week consulation post-op, her vision seems to be a little poorer, she has gone from 20/25 to 20/40. Here doctor was not sure why but suggested that her eye is still inflamed and could be double/blurry vision. We have noticed her squinting/squeezing her eye and lookways sideways at a book. Oh, and her eyes are turning in a little now which the doctor said is expected initially. We are due for a visit again next week to get her vision tested.

Can anyone please help this worried mom about why her vision might be worse 1 week post-op, is this a common occurence?

Thanks!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hang in there, it will be worth it.  It's not easy, its important.  JCH MD

[momOfSidney]

Thank you Dr. Hagan!! It's been a rough week for us, our daughter's recovery was a little hard and then she got a pretty bad bout of the stomach flu 2 days post-op and then there was this. I hope it will be downhill from now..... I really appreciate your reply and encouragement.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

When the eyes turn out before surgery and after surgery there is some double vision or the eyes cross some its generally a good thing and increase the success over immediately having no double vision and looking perfectly straight, this is planned over-correction. hang in there mom, sounds like you have a great team of Eye MDs taking care of your daughter.

JCH MD

[momOfSidney]

Thank you! I really appreciate your reply, I hope next week's visit will resolve some of these issues. My daughter told me later today that she sees double so that might be some of it.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

as you were told post irritation and inflammation and the discomfort your child has is far and away the most likely reason.

JCH MD