Squint surgery recovery: what to expect for adults and children

The first days

• The eye feels gritty and sore. Simple painkillers usually help
• Redness on the white of the eye, sometimes bright, fades over weeks
• Watering, sticky lashes and a little blood-stained tears at first
• Double vision for a few days, as the brain adjusts
• Children may be sleepy or upset on the first day after the anaesthetic

Care at home

• Use the prescribed drops exactly as told, with clean hands
• Do not rub the eye. Small children may need sleeves or supervision
• Keep dirty water, soap and shampoo out of the eye
• No swimming for a few weeks, as your surgeon advises
• Avoid dust and smoke, and wear sunglasses outdoors if comfortable
• Reading and screens are fine

Going back to school or work

Most children return to school within about a week. Adults with desk jobs often return in a similar time; dusty, manual or outdoor work may need longer. Contact sports should wait until the surgeon says.

Call the surgeon the same day if

• Pain is getting worse rather than better
• The eyelids become very swollen, or there is yellow or green discharge
• Sight is getting worse
• There is a fever, or a child is very unwell

Common questions