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Strabismus Surgery in Turkey
Embarking on a journey to correct misaligned eyes can transform not only visual function but also confidence and social engagement. Turkey has emerged as a premier destination for strabismus (squint) treatment, combining world-class ophthalmic specialists, state-of-the-art surgical theaters, and personalized care packages at competitive prices. From the initial assessment through post-operative follow-up, we coordinate every aspect of your experience
What Is Strabismus?
Strabismus occurs when the eyes fail to align properly, causing one eye to turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other focuses straight ahead. This misalignment disrupts binocular vision, making depth perception and coordinated eye movement challenging. In children, untreated strabismus can lead to amblyopia (“lazy eye”), as the brain suppresses input from the misaligned eye to avoid double vision, whereas adults may experience persistent double vision, eye strain, and headaches. Timely intervention—whether through optical correction, vision therapy, or surgery—preserves visual development in children and restores comfortable, single-vision clarity in adults.
What Are the Symptoms of Strabismus?
Patients with strabismus often exhibit a visible eye turn, with one eye drifting in one direction while the other remains straight. Adults may report double vision, especially when fatigued or stressed, and adopt compensatory head tilts or turns to align their vision. Prolonged reading or screen use can trigger eye strain and fatigue, and difficulties judging distances can interfere with everyday tasks like pouring or stair navigation. Some individuals squint or close one eye in bright light to focus better. In children, poor school performance, avoidance of near tasks, or frequent eye rubbing can be subtle indicators of an underlying alignment issue. Early recognition of these signs and prompt comprehensive eye examination can prevent long-term complications
What Causes Strabismus?
Strabismus stems from factors that upset the balance of the extraocular muscles and their neural control. Some infants are born with congenital muscle imbalances, while significant farsightedness in children forces over-accommodation, pulling the eyes inward. Neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or brain injuries disrupt signals to the eye muscles, and trauma or injury to the head or orbit can damage cranial nerves controlling eye movement. Systemic medical diseases like diabetes and myasthenia gravis weaken muscle control, leading to intermittent or sustained misalignment, and age-related conditions—such as thyroid eye disease or cranial nerve palsies—can trigger sudden-onset strabismus in adults. By pinpointing the underlying cause through detailed history-taking, imaging studies, and neurological assessments, our multidisciplinary teams develop targeted treatment plans addressing both the misalignment and any contributing medical conditions.
How Is Strabismus Diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis combines clinical observation with specialized testing. Cover–uncover and alternate cover tests reveal the magnitude and direction of the deviation, while the prism cover test quantifies the exact number of prism diopters needed to correct the misalignment. An ocular motility examination assesses eye movements in all gaze directions, identifying muscle restrictions or nerve palsies, and refraction testing rules out significant refractive errors that may contribute to the squint. Sensory tests—such as the Worth four-dot test or stereoacuity charts—evaluate binocular vision and depth perception, and advanced imaging with orbital MRI or CT scans is employed when neurological or anatomical abnormalities are suspected. These comprehensive evaluations ensure every facet of your eye health is considered before treatment planning
Strabismus Treatment Options
Correction often begins with glasses and prism lenses, which redirect light to align images on the retina and address underlying refractive errors. High-power hyperopic prescriptions reduce accommodative convergence in children with esotropia, while prism segments in adults’ lenses offer immediate, non-invasive restoration of single vision. Structured vision therapy programs, including exercises like pencil push-ups and computer-based tracking drills, strengthen under-utilized muscles and retrain binocular coordination over weeks to months, reducing the need for surgery in intermittent cases. Botulinum toxin injections into an overactive muscle provide temporary weakening that allows opposing muscles to rebalance eye alignment, with effects lasting three to four months. For large-angle or persistent deviations, strabismus surgery adjusts extraocular muscle insertion or tension through recession, resection, or transposition procedures, often using an adjustable-suture technique for fine-tuning. These surgeries, performed under general anesthesia in children and local anesthesia with sedation in adults, employ minimally invasive approaches and microscope-assisted techniques to ensure rapid recovery and minimal scarring
How Is Strabismus Surgery Performed?
The surgical process begins with precise preoperative planning, where measurements of the deviation at distance and near, along with muscle action tests, guide the surgical dosage chart. Under anesthesia—general for children, conscious sedation for adults—small conjunctival incisions grant access to the target muscles. The surgeon detaches and repositions the muscle tendon to weaken or strengthen its pull, securing it with fine, non-absorbable sutures. In adjustable-suture cases, alignment is assessed intraoperatively or on the first postoperative day, allowing minor adjustments for enhanced precision. Conjunctival flaps are then repositioned, and antibiotic-steroid drops are applied. The entire procedure generally takes 30 to 60 minutes per eye, and patients return home the same day with comprehensive aftercare instructions and scheduled follow-ups at one day, one week, one month, and three months
Even adults with long-standing squints benefit from surgery, experiencing both functional gains and a marked uplift in psychosocial wellbeing. Our teams assess each case holistically, ensuring strabismus surgery aligns with your health profile and life goals.
Our accredited Turkish clinics adhere to international safety standards, with on-site emergency support and comprehensive perioperative monitoring. Every patient receives a personalized risk assessment and consent process
Is Strabismus Surgery Risky?
Advancements in ophthalmic microsurgery have significantly reduced the risks associated with correcting eye misalignments. Even so, every surgical procedure carries some degree of uncertainty. Detailed preoperative evaluations help us identify any factors—such as uncontrolled systemic conditions or active eye inflammation—that might raise the likelihood of complications. When you choose our accredited clinics in Turkey, you benefit from sterile operating rooms, board-certified surgeons, and real-time intraoperative monitoring that collectively keep serious complications below 1%.
Minor side effects may include temporary redness, mild discomfort, or light sensitivity during the first few days, all of which we manage proactively with cold compresses and prescribed anti-inflammatory drops. Under- or over-correction can occur in up to 10% of cases; adjustable-suture techniques and early postoperative checkups allow us to fine-tune alignment for optimal results. Infection and bleeding remain exceedingly rare thanks to strict pre- and post-operative antibiotic regimens. While no surgery is entirely risk-free, our comprehensive safety protocols and experienced teams provide peace of mind
Ensuring optimal healing and stable alignment hinges on attentive aftercare. The first 24–48 hours are crucial for minimizing inflammation and protecting delicate sutures. Apply prescribed antibiotic-steroid drops four times daily and use a cool compress for 10–15 minutes every hour while awake. Sleeping on your back with head elevation reduces swelling and prevents accidental eye rubbing.
Moderate activities—light walking and desk work—can resume after 48 hours, but avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and contact sports for at least two weeks. Sunglasses with side shields protect against dust and bright light. Non-absorbable sutures are typically removed between 7–10 days post-op; by the two-week mark, most patients report significant reduction in redness and discomfort.
Engaging in gentle vision therapy exercises enhances binocular coordination as muscles readapt. Opt for convergence drills and tracking tasks as recommended by your orthoptist, usually beginning one week after surgery. Attend all follow-up visits at one day, one week, one month, and three months to monitor alignment stability and ocular health. Should any unusual pain or sudden visual changes arise, our 24/7 helpline connects you with on-call specialists
Strabismus Surgery Prices in Turkey 2025
Affordability combined with quality care draws many international patients to Turkey. Below is an overview of anticipated 2025 price ranges for strabismus correction; exact quotes depend on deviation degree, anesthesia choice, and package inclusions
Flexible payment plans and installment financing options are available. Many international insurers reimburse a significant portion; our billing team handles pre-authorizations and claims processing on your behalf
Is strabismus surgery a permanent solution?
Long-term studies indicate that over 80% of patients maintain stable alignment five years post-operation. Young children may require follow-up adjustments as muscles and nerves develop, but most adults achieve lasting correction. Adjustable sutures further enhance permanence by allowing minor postoperative tweaks.
At what age can children have strabismus surgery?
Interventions as early as six months old are safe for congenital squints that risk amblyopia. For acquired or intermittent deviations, planning between ages 3–6 ensures binocular vision development. Our pediatric ophthalmology teams customize timing to balance anesthesia safety and visual maturation.
Can the eyes drift again after surgery?
Recurrence rates vary between 5–10%, often due to muscle scarring or incomplete initial correction. Adjustable-suture approaches and thorough preoperative measurements minimize this risk. Should a drift occur, minor reoperation or prism lenses can realign the eyes efficiently.
Is non-surgical treatment possible for strabismus?
Mild deviations respond well to prism glasses, vision therapy, or Botox injections, especially in intermittent squints. While these modalities reduce symptoms and delay surgery, they may not achieve full correction for large-angle or constant misalignments.
Is the surgery covered by insurance in Turkey?
Public health insurance in Turkey covers medically necessary strabismus surgery for children under 18 and adults with functional impairments. Private international policies often reimburse a portion of costs; elective cosmetic cases may require direct payment. Our coordinators verify your coverage details and streamline claims so you can focus on recovery
