Eye Surgery

When does my child need eye surgery?

The staff at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists takes a conservative approach to treatment and doesn’t perform surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. In many cases, your child’s doctor first tries a non-surgical treatment. If the problem doesn’t improve, they may recommend surgery as a next step.

Examples of non-surgical treatments for common pediatric eye problems include:

Strabismus (cross-eyed)

This condition often improves with glasses and eye exercises. If your child also has amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” wearing a patch over the stronger eye can help improve the weaker eye.

Styes and chalazions

If your child has a bump on or near their eyelid, and it becomes infected, your child’s doctor prescribes topical and then oral antibiotics.

Tear duct obstruction

Many tear duct obstructions clear up with at-home treatment, including gently massaging the area. Your child’s doctor can show you how to do this and prescribes antibiotics if your child has an infection.

In urgent, serious cases, and for certain conditions, such as ptosis (drooping eyelid), surgery is usually the best treatment approach. Your child’s doctor goes over all treatment options with you.

What happens during my child’s eye surgery?

The pediatric ophthalmologists at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists have the necessary experience to perform eye surgery on children and know how to help young patients relax and cooperate. During the surgery, your child is fully asleep and doesn’t feel pain or other sensations. Your child may also receive medication to calm them before the surgery.

The team performs procedures on an outpatient basis, so your child can go home the same day. Surgeries for most common pediatric eye conditions are brief and simple. Average procedure times include:

• Strabismus correction - 30 minutes to two hours
• Stye or chalazion draining - 15 to 20 minutes
• Ptosis correction - 45 minutes to an hour for each eye

• Tear duct obstruction removal - an hour

Your child’s doctor discusses the specifics of each procedure with you.

What can I expect after my child’s eye surgery?

Like anyone, your child is likely to experience some discomfort after undergoing surgery, including pain, itchiness, and blurry vision, which go away within a few weeks. Your child may need to wear an eyepatch or use medication such as ointments or eye drops. Your child’s doctor gives you instructions on at-home care, including managing your child’s symptoms.

Your child may need follow-up care to get the full benefits of surgery. For example, after surgery to correct a lazy eye or strabismus, many children continue vision therapy to strengthen and retrain their eyes.

To learn more about eye surgery for your child, call ABC Children’s Eye Specialists or use the online booking tool.