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.