Having Lasik surgery if you have strabismus

[dp33]

I have read that lasik surgery can make the symptoms of strabismus worse.Is this common or very rare?Also heard it can cause double vision.I am thinking of having lasik but the thought of making my strabismus problems worse scares me.I already suffer from a bit of double vision when my eye drift out a bit.

I have been told that I am a candidate for lasik at the consultation and was told the chances of the strabismus symptoms becoming worse are rare.However browsing through the internet I read in some place that if you have strabismus lasik is not a good idea.I don't know what to do?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I would get a second opinion from a very experienced Lasik surgeon, and by the way, not some Lasik chain store.  Bargain discounts are not what you want here.  As you hear so often, every individual is different, but I don't necessarily see a history of strabismus as being a major contradiction to lasik.  I would be cautious if you have amblyopia or one lazy eye that cannot be corrected to normal vision.  In that situation, you might only have one strong healthy eye and would want to choose your options even more carefully.  People with amblyopia sometimes think that lasik can correct it but it can only (in best care scenario) give you the vision  you would get with glasses.

MJK MD

[jillo60]

A related discussion, lasik if you have strabismus was started.