Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Strabismus and Squints?
Laser Eye Surgery has become well-known for its obvious ability to treat vision impairments such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness and astigmatism. But what about other conditions?
For example, can Laser Eye Surgery be helpful if you have Strabismus, otherwise known as a squint?
Traditionally, Laser Eye Surgery is not considered a treatment for strabismus, simply because strabismus surgery involves altering the muscles around the eye, whereas Laser Eye Surgery does not.
However, it is also important to note that every person is different, so, such a clear-cut answer isn’t really helpful. In fact, it can be quite misleading. So, let’s take a closer look at the question – and the answer.
If you have strabismus, Laser Eye Surgery will not interact with the condition. While this means it won’t make your squint worse, typically, it will also not make it any better.
Laser Eye Surgery and Double Vision
However, in some cases, Laser Eye Surgery can be used to aid with squints associated with double vision. Double vision often occurs because the eyes are not aligned properly. This results in the delivery of two different images from each eye that cannot be easily put together to form one clear image.
This kind of misalignment is often associated with squinting. In these instances, Laser Eye Surgery may be useful for treating the misalignment by adjusting one eye to focus better at a distance and the other to focus better up close. This is known as ‘monovision’.
As Mr Glenn Carp explains in the video below, small residual refractive errors that may be left over after Laser Eye Surgery may affect the appearance of the squint; however, this can often be managed with further enhancement Surgery or muscle surgery around the eye itself.
Nonetheless, the biggest takeaway from this Q&A with Dr Glenn Carp, one of the finest Laser Eye surgeons in the world, is this: Laser Eye Surgery techniques alone will not resolve a strabismus problem. However, this doesn’t mean your vision cannot be improved.
Strabismus may not affect your eligibility for Laser Eye Surgery
The primary aim of any Laser Eye Surgery procedure is to improve the refractive error of each individual eye. Therefore, while Laser Eye Surgery won’t reduce the appearance of a squint, it can address associated symptoms of poor vision.
Most importantly, having a squint doesn’t necessarily make you ineligible for Laser Eye Surgery. In fact, many patients with strabismus are still able to choose between a range of procedures, including LASIK, PRK/LASEK, and the minimally-invasive ReLEx SMILE.
Your eligibility for each treatment will depend on a range of things, including your specific condition and prescription. If you have a squint, there are a number of considerations that need to be evaluated before you are signed off for Laser Eye Surgery.
For example, in cases of amblyopia – also known as lazy eye – that has developed due to strabismus, Laser Eye Surgery typically will not be able to restore vision beyond that which is attainable by wearing glasses.
The only way to know for sure whether you could benefit from Laser Eye Surgery is to speak with an expert. Contact one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book your Consultation at London Vision Clinic today.
View Comments (21)
If I have lazy eye, can i use laser surgery?
Unfortunately, lazy eye cannot be corrected with laser eye surgery. However, we have treated many patients who have lazy eyes to eliminate their dependency on their glasses.
I'm 34 years old. with strabismus and wearing glasses. Which operation do you recommend first?
Strabismus operation first or Lasik first?
Thks
Hi Andrew. You should follow your doctor's advice, as we cannot provide specific clinical advice without examining your eyes. However, in general we would recommend having the strabismus operation first. Strabismus is not a contraindication for laser eye surgery. Hope this is helpful, and if you would like any further information, please don't hesitate to contact us on 020 7224 1005.
Hi,
I have a lazy eye that only affects me when I am not wearing glasses or contacts. Does that mean that if my vision were corrected with laser eye surgery my lazy eye would not wander when I have no glasses or contacts?
Hi Nicola. The vision you can get with laser eye surgery is the same as with glasses and contact lenses; from what you have said, it sounds like your eye is able to focus with glasses - and therefore we would generally expect the same result after laser eye surgery (which makes the eye focus). However, this is not guaranteed. As with any patient, we would need to examine your eyes in person, and then would be able to give you a much more accurate answer as to what we could do for you, and what the likely outcome would be in your individual case. If you would like to schedule a free Initial Screening (with no obligation to book surgery), please give us a call on 020 7224 1005. Our Patient Care Coordinators may also be able to answer your questions more clearly over the phone, once you have given us some more details. We look forward to hearing from you.
Hello,
I'm currently 19 years old. I had an eye muscle surgery when I was 8 years old, and at the age of 15 my squint reoccurred. I was told that a second eye muscle surgery would be required to fix my eyes. I visited 2 doctors to get more information about it and 1 of the doctors told me that a laser surgery would help fix my squint while the other said that I have to go under the knife again. As this post stated that laser eye surgery can't fix my Strabismus but may improve appearance of my squint, may I know how does it actually improve the appearance? I have lazy eyes as well that developed from the squint. Is laser eye surgery enough to just improve the alignment of my eyes or do I really need to go under the knife again?
Hello
I am a 41 year old man with strabismus, wearing glasses(I started wearing glasses at the age of 16) and my left eye turning inward(not lazy eye) Could my condition be improved since I am over 40 years old.
Many thanks
Hi Slal,
There is a potential that Laser eye surgery could help you, we would need more information first. Have you got your visual acuity and your prescription? You should be able to obtain both of these from your most recent eye examination. Once you have these, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic on 02072241005 so one of our Patient Care Coordinators can give you more advice.
Thanks
Hi I have strabismus/amblyopia but when I wear my glasses or contacts (which is a high prescription) my eyes are fine, if I was to get laser surgery would I get the same affect as if I was wearing my glasses ? I know my vision won't be great but it would be amazing to wake up and see what I do in my glasses normally
Hi Tom,
Yes, laser eye surgery usually aims to match the vision that you get with your glasses. We have treated many patients before with amblyopia to achieve the same vision as their glasses. Of course we would need to assess your suitability fully to determine whether Laser Eye Surgery would be the best option for you.
Please let us know if you need any other information by getting in contact on 0207 224 1005 or via info@londonvisionclinic.com
Thanks,
London Vision Clinic
I was really confused, and this answered all my quosniets.
Hi I am a 44 yr old female with an intermittent squint from a young age. The squint is only noticeable when I am not wearing my glasses my eye drifts out. My vision prescription is -2:00 & - 2:25 and my glasses contain prisim . I need glasses for far away vision, I want to get laser eye surgery and correct my squint as well which should I do first or does it matter
Hi Anne,
It would be best for you to have a consultation for the squint surgery to see whwat they could do for you first. At this stage, after Laser Eye Surgery, you will still need glasses with the prism. However, once you have squint surgery we can then assess how much laser eye surgery can do for you and go through the risks with the squint surgery in mind.
I hope this helps, please call the clinic on 0207 224 1005 if you have any further questions.
Kindest Regards,
London Vision Clinic
I had lazy eye that turned in then I had surgery and they over corrected it. It drifts out now,when I have glasses or contacts on!!!!! But when I take contacts or glasses off the alignment is almost centered but then I can't see. What do you recommend. I'm 45.. Could I have LASIK. JM farsighted and astigmatism
Hi Amy.
As you have already had surgery, you would need to discuss this with your Surgeon.
A lazy eye (Amblyopia) is not a contraindication alone, but you will need to be fully assessed.
Laser eye surgery is only able to refine the vision in an amblyopic eye to the level it can achieve with a glasses prescription.
Hope this helps,
LoVC
Hi,
I am 23 years old and have squint in my eyes.
I have been wearing glasses for past 3 years, which helped alot in the correction of squint.
Can I go for a Laser treatment to remove glasses without fearing the squint to get worse?
Thanks
Hi Himani,
Thanks for your message. Laser eye surgery is for the correction of refractive errors only, this should not impact the squint itself. If you are relying on glasses for correction of your squint, you will need to speak with your Optometrist about suitable steps following treatment. If you would be keen to know more about treatment options, you can call us on 020 7224 1005.
Best wishes,
London Vision Clinic