Almost 3 Year Old Son Having Strabismus Surgery

My daughter had cataract surgery at three and again at 4. She was on drops for three weeks, a steroid, a pain med and something else. We had the schedule on the fridge and I used a timer.
After the first week it stopped itching so bad and all she wanted was the darn patch off.
She did have to remain quiet, no rough play, no swings, trampollines, etc, that was the hard part, telling a three year old she can't swing on the swingset.
Good luck this Friday. Its; hard to see them in the recovery room. They cry. THey gave my daughter a drug to make her loopy, she was a riot, but then fell asleep pretty fast.

My neighbors daughter just had it during the first week in September. She is 21 months old. She slept the full day and night (had the surgery at 9am), and then woke up the next morning like nothing ever happened! Her eye was a little pink, but that was it. We had a PTO meeting together the morning after the surgery, and the Mom didn't think she was going to make it, but she showed up with the daughter, looking like nothing ever happened! Best of luck!

Hi S.,
We have had this done with one of our children. We had to have it repeated because the first time wasn't quite right (it isn't an exact science). We will have him go back in next year for another follow up to see if yet a third surgery is necessary (it still isn't perfect). I recently learned that it may have been possible for our chiropractor to help correct this problem. I wish I had known before so that we could have tried this route first. If they can fix the nerve damage (is it pinched, is it blocked, etc.), then your son won't need the surgery. Chiropractors work with the nerves, so it makes sense to me now. I highly suggest you consider at least looking into this route before you have your child go through the surgery. It is not an easy thing for them. The recovery is painful somewhat (not horrible, but not fun, either). They have to be careful with activities for a couple of months after the surgery to make sure they don't injure their eye or get anything in it. I pray it all goes well for you!

Dear S.:

The responses below are being nice and have had good results compare to most. This is a neurological problem that can go away on its own but may take many more years. There are many possible complications from this procedures including infection. Most people go through 5 surgeries before giving up or getting minor improvement. When you see great improvement after surgery it usually only lasts 1 to 2 years.

I would do more research before the knife.

Kim