How does eye muscle surgery work?

As an expert in the field of ophthalmology, I can provide a detailed explanation of how eye muscle surgery, specifically strabismus surgery, works. Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object, leading to a misalignment of the visual axes. This can result in double vision, loss of depth perception, and even amblyopia (lazy eye) if not corrected. The goal of strabismus surgery is to improve the alignment of the eyes by adjusting the muscles that control eye movement. Step 1: Preoperative Assessment Before surgery, a comprehensive eye examination is conducted to assess the degree of misalignment and the specific muscles involved. This may include tests for visual acuity, eye muscle balance, and depth perception. The surgeon will also determine the type of procedure needed based on the findings. Step 2: Anesthesia Eye muscle surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, which means the patient is asleep during the procedure. However, in some cases, local anesthesia with sedation may be used, especially for adults or older children who can cooperate with the surgeon. **Step 3: Incisions and Muscle Identification** The surgeon begins by making small incisions in the clear, protective membrane that covers the white part of the eye (sclera). Using specialized surgical instruments, the surgeon then identifies the specific extraocular muscles that need to be adjusted. **Step 4: Recession and Resection Procedures** The key procedures in strabismus surgery are recession and resection. - Recession Procedure: In a recession, the surgeon detaches the affected muscle from its original attachment point on the eye and reattaches it farther back on the eye. This weakens the muscle, which is particularly useful when the muscle is too strong, causing the eye to turn outward (divergent strabismus). - Resection Procedure: Conversely, a resection involves shortening the muscle by removing a small section and reattaching the ends closer together. This strengthens the muscle, which is beneficial when the muscle is too weak, leading to an inward turn of the eye (convergent strabismus). Step 5: Muscle Adjustment and Suturing After the recession or resection, the surgeon may further adjust the muscle's position to achieve the desired alignment. The muscle is then secured in place with sutures. In some cases, additional procedures such as a tuck or plication may also be performed to fine-tune the muscle's effectiveness. Step 6: Postoperative Care Once the surgery is complete, the incisions are closed, and the eye is patched to protect it during the initial healing period. Patients are usually given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the healing process and assess the effectiveness of the surgery. Step 7: Recovery and Rehabilitation Recovery from eye muscle surgery is generally quick, with most patients experiencing significant improvement in eye alignment within a few weeks. However, full recovery can take several months. During this time, patients may undergo vision therapy or wear glasses to aid in the rehabilitation process. It's important to note that while strabismus surgery can significantly improve eye alignment and reduce symptoms, it may not always completely correct the misalignment. In some cases, additional surgeries or non-surgical treatments may be necessary. Now, let's move on to the translation of the above explanation into Chinese.

Strabismus Surgery Involving Recession And Resection Procedures. In a recession procedure, your eye surgeon detaches the affected outside muscle (extraocular muscle) from the eye and reattaches it (resection) farther back on the eye to weaken the relative strength of the muscle if it is too strong.