Strabismus Surgery Experience: Real Recovery Week by Week

When I finally decided to share my strabismus surgery experience, I wanted to give people what I couldn't find online: an honest, complete story from start to finish. Not just the recovery tips, but the whole journey, how I ended up on that operating table, what the surgery was actually like, and what happened in the months after.

If you're considering surgery for adult strabismus, I hope my story helps you understand what to expect.

How It Started: The Decision to Seek Help

I live in Europe and had been dealing with strabismus since childhood. It was exotropia caused by a trauma when I was young, and I had lived with it for over 20 years.

About a year ago, I started feeling more strain in my eyes than usual. I was playing video games from time to time, and my eyes felt really tired. So I scheduled an appointment with an ophthalmologist, earlier than my routine checkup, just to see what was going on.

During that visit, I explained my full history, from childhood until now. The doctor listened and then told me something I hadn't expected: he recommended I go to the public hospital because they were better equipped to help with my condition.

He explained that the strain I was feeling came from my brain focusing on only one eye and dismissing the other. That's what strabismus does, and that's why I felt so tired.

The Checkups Before Surgery

What followed was a series of appointments at the public hospital. It wasn't quick, but it was thorough.

First, I had an initial examination. Then they booked me with an orthoptist, the specialist who measures how much the eye is drifted. After those measurements, I went back to the doctor for another examination. Then back to the orthoptist again for a second set of measurements.

This double-checking might seem excessive, but they wanted to be sure about the numbers before recommending surgery.

Finally, they booked me an appointment with the surgeon.

The Surgeon Consultation: A Difficult Conversation

Meeting the surgeon was the moment everything became real.

She looked at my case and was honest with me: the surgery was not guaranteed to work. Because I had lived with exotropia for over 20 years, my brain had adapted to seeing a certain way. There was no certainty it would readjust after surgery.

My drift was significant, around 60 prism diopters. That's a huge deviation.

I was hesitant. Afraid. I asked her directly: "Should I do this?"

Her recommendation was clear. Yes, I should do the surgery. If I didn't, my eye would keep drifting, potentially getting worse over time.

I thought about it and decided: I was already living with a condition that affected my confidence and my daily life. Nothing could be worse than my current situation. I scheduled the surgery for two months later.

Preparing for Surgery While Living Alone

Here's something that worried me: I live alone. I was afraid I would need help during recovery, especially in the first few days after surgery.

So I planned everything carefully:

• Took two weeks off work (sick leave)
• Pre-cooked meals to cover four days so I wouldn't need to cook while recovering
• Bought all the supplies I would need
• Made sure my home was comfortable and ready for rest

If you're preparing for surgery and live alone, planning ahead makes a huge difference. You won't want to think about food or errands during those first days.

My Strabismus Surgery Experience: The Day Of

The day of surgery, I went to the hospital expecting it to be painful and scary. I was wrong.

They took me to the pre-op area and asked the routine questions. Any allergies? Any conditions they should know about? Everything standard.

Then they gave me anesthesia. Thirty minutes later, I was awake. The surgery was done.

The medical team told me before they wheeled me out that everything went well. The surgery was good.

They moved me to a recovery area where I rested for about an hour, still sleepy. Then I had lunch at the hospital. By 4 or 5 in the afternoon, I was heading home.

That was it. The surgery itself was the easiest part of the whole strabismus surgery experience.

The First Two Days: Discomfort, Not Pain

My surgery was on both muscles, the one on the left side and the one on the right side of my eye. When I looked straight ahead, I felt fine. But when I turned my eye to the side, there was discomfort.

I would rate the pain about 3 out of 10. It wasn't severe, just uncomfortable. The first two days were the hardest, but manageable with the prescribed medication and eye drops.

They gave me antibiotic eye drops to use three times a day. Following this schedule was important to prevent infection.

Week 1: Rest and Protection

The first week was all about rest and protecting my eye.

No Screens

I didn't watch TV, use my computer, or look at my phone for about a week. Your eyes need complete rest during this time. I spent most of those days just resting with my eyes open, letting my body heal.

If you're preparing for surgery, download audiobooks or podcasts ahead of time. You'll need something to pass the time.

Protecting Your Eye from Water

Your eye cannot touch water for the first two weeks. This is to avoid infection.

I bought a plastic shield, a visor that attaches to your forehead and covers your eyes during showers. It keeps water away from your face while you wash. This was one of the best purchases I made.

The Night Guard

You'll need a solid plastic eye patch for sleeping, not the fabric pirate kind, but a hard protective shell that covers your eye. Why? Because you might scratch your eye in your sleep without realizing it.

Stay Home

I avoided going out unnecessarily. No gym, no crowded places. The goal was simple: minimize any risk of infection.

Week 2: Starting to Feel Normal

It was summer when I had my surgery. After about a week, I started taking short walks outside.

The sun made my eye a bit itchy, but it was acceptable for where I was in the healing process.

My eye wasn't producing normal tears at this point. Instead, there was a jelly-like discharge coming out. This is normal, don't be alarmed if it happens to you. It's part of the healing process.

The eye was also red. Not the entire eye, but noticeable redness, especially on the sides where the surgeon worked on the muscles. Again, completely normal.

Weeks 3-4: Redness Fading

After about two weeks, the red color started to fade. By the end of the month, my eye looked mostly normal again.

This is when I started feeling like the strabismus surgery experience was truly worth it. My eye was straighter. The redness was gone. Life was returning to normal.

Month 2-3: The Results Keep Improving

Here's something important: the more time you give your eye, the better it gets.

You'll see results immediately after surgery. The alignment is visible from day one. But it keeps improving, month after month.

I had follow-up appointments with the orthoptist to check my measurements:

• Before surgery: Around 60 prism diopters
• First follow-up: Around 18 prism diopters
• Two months later: Around 14 prism diopters

Anything under 15 prism diopters is generally not noticeable to other people. My eyes looked straight.

Month 4+: The Best Results

The best results appeared around month four.

By this point, my eyes looked really good. Everything had healed. The alignment was stable. There was no more discomfort, no redness, nothing to indicate I'd ever had surgery.

It's really straightforward now. My eyes look normal. Everything went well.

What I Wish I'd Known: Practical Tips

Based on my complete strabismus surgery experience, here's what I'd tell anyone preparing for this:

1. Buy Supplies Before Surgery

• Shower shield — plastic forehead visor to protect eyes from water
• Hard eye patch — for sleeping (your surgeon may provide this)
• Sunglasses — for light sensitivity when you go outside

2. Prepare If You Live Alone

Take enough time off work. Two weeks minimum. Pre-cook meals or arrange food delivery for the first few days. You won't feel like cooking.

3. The Surgery Itself Is Easy

Don't fear the surgery. Thirty minutes under anesthesia, and it's done. The preparation and recovery require more effort than the procedure itself.

4. Trust the Healing Process

Redness is normal. Discharge is normal. Discomfort is normal. Your eye will look worse before it looks better. Give it time.

5. Results Keep Improving for Months

Don't judge your final result in week one. Or even month one. The best results appear around month four. Patience is part of recovery.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. Without hesitation.

I lived with exotropia for over 20 years. The surgeon wasn't even sure my brain would adapt after all that time. But it did.

If you've been considering surgery and recognize the signs that it's time, I hope my experience helps you understand what lies ahead.

The recovery is real. But so is the transformation.

Related Resources

• Complete guide to adult strabismus
• How much does surgery cost?
• Finding the right surgeon
• Surgery prep checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does strabismus surgery take?

The surgery itself takes about 30 minutes under general anesthesia. You'll spend a few hours at the hospital total, including pre-op preparation and recovery time before going home.

Is strabismus surgery painful?

Most patients describe discomfort rather than severe pain. I rated my pain about 3 out of 10. The first two days were the most uncomfortable, especially when moving my eyes to the side. Prescribed medication and eye drops help significantly.

How long until I can use my phone after strabismus surgery?

Most surgeons recommend avoiding screens for about one week to let your eyes rest and heal properly. After that, you can gradually return to screen use as comfort allows.

When can I go back to work after strabismus surgery?

Plan for at least one to two weeks off work. If your job requires significant screen time or physical activity, you may need longer. I took two weeks of sick leave.

How soon will I see results from strabismus surgery?

You'll see alignment improvement immediately after surgery. However, results continue improving for three to four months as healing progresses. The best results typically appear around month four.

Can strabismus surgery fail?

Success rates are around 80% after the first surgery. Some patients need a second procedure for optimal alignment. In my case, despite having the condition for over 20 years, surgery was successful. Every case is different, so discuss expectations honestly with your surgeon.