Hi.My son is 3.8 years old and has strabismus.It started when he was a year old and has gotten worse.Both of his eyes turn out but not constant.He has been patching but it isn't helping.A couple of weeks ago he started closing his right eye when he is outside.I carried him to his pediatric ophthalmologist Thursday and she said we need to consider surgery.Now his eyes turn when he is looking at something near as well as far.She said the patching will not fix the muscles and has just been buying us time until he is older.Now she thinks he is old enough to have surgery.She said it's best before he starts school.Should I get a second opinion?Anyone know how hard it is on a child this young?He is just a baby!Thanks

To brendamccraw2........

This is my first time replying to a message but after reading your post I had too!!

I'm a 24-year old male and I've just had my 3rd strabismus related surgery about 5-weeks ago. I had my first when I was about 1-year old and my second when I was 4. I can tell you that I have absolutely no recollection of how "hard or draining" my first two surgeries were...but I can tell you that I've been told that it didn’t even seem to bother me, I was back to running around within a couple of days.

However, what I CAN tell you is that if your son’s strabismus (from what you’ve described) goes uncorrected…it will become one of the most psychologically defining things in his life…

As I stated before I had strabismus surgery right before I entered kindergarten…however, after my surgery my doctor recommended another surgery because it was still “present” some of the times…my mother was very hesitant and decided she would wait and see…. she said “ he’s been through so much and I’m sure no one will be able to tell.”

Well, I dealt with an off-and-on “minor” case of exotropia throughout my childhood into my early 20’s. I became very shy, timid in front of groups and would never look someone in the eye while speaking. . EVERY time someone would look at me I thought “is my eye straight? Do you think they notice?” and it came very debilitating in social situations. I remember when I was a kid looking at other kids in my class and they would sometimes look behind them and ask “are you looking at me?” and as you know kids can be very harsh to other kids. Luckily those situations were few and far between but it still happened from time-to-time and trust me, It felt uncomfortable and made me insecure EVERY time!! Looking back on it now…it’s amazing how much those isolated incidents made me insecure ALL of the time!!

I could go on-and-on…but my only advice is that at his age he will physically bounce back in no time at all!! And even if he has to deal with some physical discomfort for a week or so…it’s a whole lot better than a lifetime of social/psychological discomfort!!!

I hope that helped a little and I wish you and your son all the best!!!

Thanks mattyc85.He has an appointment tomorrow for a second opinion.If this dr tells me the same thing,we will go ahead with surgery.I think he is having double vision.His eye dr said that kids with exotropia don't have double vision because their brains block it out.Adults do have double vision.I asked him today how many hands I was holding up and he said two.I was holding up one.I asked him to touch and count them and he reached beside my hand like he was reaching for another one.He told me a few days ago that he was seeing two Stephanie's (his sister)while he was outside.He keeps his right eye shut when he's outside and blinks the left.I hear that the surgery has a better chance of working and is easier if you have it young.I just think about the risks more than I should.It's hard not to worry.Thanks again for replying.Brenda

He honestly should bounce back with no problems. I agree with matty....I'd get it done before he enters school...

I can't tell you how self consious I was because of this problem....and being that kids can be so cruel...just made it that much worse. And actually to be honest with you. I think that it was even worse before my last surgery. (I'm currently 21)....I had adults walk up to me and ask all sorts of questions about my eye....I was at the jewlery shop one day and one of the mall workers came in and started talking to me (one of those I'm always there and I just knew he'd been waiting to ask me stuff for a while) so he just flat out asked 'can you even SEE out of that eye?'

I had been considering getting the second surgery before that comment....(and there were others) But that comment is the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. So in december I had my second strab surgery. We're really hopeful with this one because my doctor tightened all of the muscles in the eye rather than just the horizontal ones.

Anyway good luck!....

Oh and I just did some reading on it....and I learned something about it.

I've delt with this since I was an infant...they say if the child has double vision the brain will eventually just pretty much 'shut off' the eye with the double vision *Shrugs* I found it interesting....I don't recall ever having double vision....but my brain has turned off my left eye completely unless I have to actually use it....LOL

Well,we did it.We decided to go ahead with the surgery.It is scheduled for June 11.We got two opinions and they both think he needs it.They said he would have trouble in school with reading and writing if we don't get it done.I hope we are doing the right thing.

Hello there My son is now 12 yrs of age and when he was 3 he had eye surgy.. I cant remember what they called it but it was to cut the muscles so he isnt crossed eyed..His eye drained about every morning...he would scream "I CANT SEE" to this day they cant totally fix his eyes..He does wear glasses. He also cant see in 3D. Every thing he see's is in one line..He still trips over everything If he takes his eye glasses off his eyes' still turn in..and if he is really tired.. they are gone

My daughter has intermittent exotropia as well. She has always covered one eye when she's outside in bright sunlight. I once read that this is very common w/ exotropes. The bright sunlight makes them have double vision. I'll try to find a link on that and send it.

http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/exotropia.html

My daughter has intermittent exotropia as well. She has always covered one eye when she's outside in bright sunlight. I once read that this is very common w/ exotropes. The bright sunlight makes them have double vision. I'll try to find a link on that and send it. Thanks yanxia...

Friday is the big day.I am so nervous.We went Monday for pre op and I had to sign the consent forms.All the risks scare me.She said she does a little overcorrection so when they drift back out it will be even.I hope they don't turn in after surgery.Pray for him please. :)

His surgery went very well.He did not cry for me at all when they took him back.They said he didn't cry in the operating room either.His eyes do not look as bad as I thought they would.They are bloodshot but not swollen or anything.He had the surgery yesterday and has been playing today.He is a little fussy but not bad.They are straight and I'm keeping my fingers crossed they stay that way.We are having to keep the blinds closed because the lights bother his eyes.Even the TV hurts his eyes.Anyone know how long that lasts?