Squint Surgery Success Rates: What ‘Success’ Means for Adults
Why Choose Private Squint Surgery?
In the UK, squint surgery may be performed through the NHS, through insurance or as self-pay. NHS treatment is free, but waiting times can be long.
Self-pay allows you to choose your surgeon directly and prioritise experience, specialisation and access.
London Squint Clinic offers two fixed-price surgical packages. Our pricing page lists exactly what each one includes.
Our Packages: Complete Care £9,750 · Signature Care £12,000
- ✔ Surgery by Mr Ali, one or both eyes as clinically required
- ✔ Adjustable sutures when clinically indicated
- ✔ Detailed pre-operative measurements & surgical planning
- ✔ Anaesthetist fees
- ✔ Post-operative eye drops
- ✔ 2 scheduled video follow-ups
- ✔ Face-to-face review if clinically required
Signature Care Also Includes
- ✔ Direct 24/7 WhatsApp access to Mr Ali during recovery
- ✔ Pre-op reassurance call with anaesthetist if desired
- ✔ Additional face-to-face review if desired
- ✔ Ongoing eye advice from Mr Ali after discharge
Initial consultation: £150 (video or in person)
Surgery can usually be offered within 4 weeks. No referral required. Self-pay only.
Squint Surgery Success Rates: The Short Answer
Squint surgery can improve eye alignment in adults, including in squints that have been present since childhood. A single headline “success rate” can be misleading, because published figures depend on how success is defined, when it is measured and the type of squint. Some patients need more than one operation. Your own likely outcome, and the chance of needing further treatment, are best discussed with your surgeon at consultation.
Table of Contents
What Does “Success” Mean After Squint Surgery?
Squint surgery involves moving the muscles that control eye movement so the eyes line up correctly (NHS). What counts as a successful result depends on why you are having the operation:
- Alignment: research studies usually define success as the eyes being within a set number of prism dioptres of straight, measured at a set time after surgery.
- Double vision: if you have double vision, the main aim is to get rid of it or reduce it, and to restore comfortable single vision where possible.
- Appearance: for many adults without double vision, the aim is a clearly better appearance of the eyes and easier eye contact.
Surgeons do not always aim for a perfectly straight result. An NHS patient leaflet notes that it is sometimes desirable to leave a slight over- or under-correction, and that it usually takes a few weeks before the outcome can be judged (West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust).
What Published Studies Report
Reported success rates vary widely between studies because of differences in how success is defined, the length of follow-up and the mix of patients. One of the larger studies of adults, a retrospective review of 491 adults at a US eye centre, defined success as a horizontal deviation of 10 prism dioptres or less and a vertical deviation of 2 prism dioptres or less, measured on average about a month after surgery. Success was 74.8% with adjustable sutures and 61.3% without them (Zhang et al., Ophthalmology, 2012).
The same study found the benefit of adjustable sutures was greatest in repeat operations for squints that began in childhood. The authors note the study was not randomised and measured short-term alignment, so the figures should not be read as a guarantee for any individual patient.
Why a Further Operation Is Sometimes Needed
Under-correction or over-correction can occur and may need further surgery. In large squints, the correction is sometimes planned in stages, with more than one operation (West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust). Alignment can also change over time.
At London Squint Clinic, re-operation terms, if any, are confirmed in writing at consultation. You can read more in what happens if a re-operation is needed.
Risks: What the UK Figures Show
Like any operation, squint surgery carries risks. Redness and soreness for a few days are common. Double vision after the operation often settles within 3 to 4 weeks, although it sometimes lasts a few months and occasionally needs further surgery.
For serious complications, a UK study by the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit, quoted in an NHS patient leaflet, reported complications in about 3 in 1,000 patients overall. This included loss of vision in about 1 in 2,000 patients (West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust). Mr Ali will discuss the risks that apply to you.
Questions to Ask About Success Rates
If a clinic quotes a success rate, these questions help you understand what it means:
- How is success defined: alignment within a set range, relief of double vision, or both?
- When was the result measured, and over how many patients?
- Does the figure include squints like mine, or previous surgery like mine?
- What is my own chance of needing a further operation?
Your Assessment at London Squint Clinic
Mr Nadeem Ali’s practice is dedicated to adult squint and double vision surgery. He is a former consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital and uses adjustable sutures when clinically indicated. At your consultation he will examine your eyes, explain what surgery is likely to achieve in your case and discuss the risks. See adult squint surgery, double vision surgery and our pricing page, or book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the success rate of squint surgery in adults?
There is no single figure. Published rates vary with how success is defined, when it is measured and the type of squint. In one study of 491 adults, alignment within the study’s target range about a month after surgery was 74.8% with adjustable sutures and 61.3% without. Your surgeon can explain what is likely in your case.
Will I need more than one operation?
Many people need only one operation, but under- or over-correction can occur and large squints are sometimes corrected in stages. Your chance of needing further surgery is discussed at consultation.
How long before the result of squint surgery is clear?
It usually takes a few weeks before the outcome can be judged. Double vision after the operation often settles within 3 to 4 weeks, although it sometimes lasts a few months.
What are the risks of squint surgery?
Common effects include redness, soreness and temporary double vision. Serious complications are uncommon: a UK study reported them in about 3 in 1,000 patients, including loss of vision in about 1 in 2,000. Mr Ali will discuss the risks that apply to you.
Sources
- NHS. Squint. nhs.uk/conditions/squint
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Squint surgery (strabismus surgery), patient information leaflet. westhertshospitals.nhs.uk
- Zhang MS, Hutchinson AK, Drack AV, Cleveland J, Lambert SR. Improved ocular alignment with adjustable sutures in adults undergoing strabismus surgery. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(2):396–402. PMID 22036633
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Hello, I’m Nadeem Ali
I’m one of the few eye surgeons in the world with 100% focus on Squint and Double Vision Surgery.
I have 24 years of eye surgery experience, and worked for 13 years as a Consultant at London’s renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital.
In 2023, I left the NHS to focus fully on treating patients from across the world at the London Squint Clinic. You can read more about me here.
There’s lots of information on the website about: squint surgery, double vision surgery and our pricing.
The most rewarding part of my job is hearing patients tell me how squint or double vision surgery has changed their lives. You can hear these stories here.
Mr Nadeem Ali
MA MB BChir MRCOphth FRCSEd(Ophth)