What strabismus and paediatric eye care covers
Strabismus, often called a squint, means the eyes do not point in the same direction. One eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards, constantly or only from time to time. This category brings together four related areas: strabismus diagnosis, strabismus surgery, amblyopia treatment and surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). They all affect how the eyes work together and how vision develops. You can see the wider range of services on our page for eye surgery treatments in Turkey.
The four areas are quite different in practice. Diagnosis is an examination, not an operation: an ophthalmologist measures the angle of the misalignment, checks vision in each eye, tests how the eyes move and looks at the back of the eye. Strabismus surgery changes the position or tension of the muscles that move the eye. Amblyopia, sometimes called lazy eye, is reduced vision in an eye that has not developed normally, and it is usually treated with glasses, patching or eye drops rather than surgery. ROP is a condition of the retinal blood vessels in some premature babies and is treated in specialised neonatal and retina units.
Strabismus & Paediatric Eye in Turkey
Who each option is for
Children are the most common patients, but adults also have strabismus surgery, sometimes after a long-standing squint, sometimes after an injury, thyroid eye disease or a nerve problem that has caused double vision.
In general, the choice follows from the diagnosis:
- A full eye examination and orthoptic assessment comes first, and for many families it is the only step needed in the first instance.
- Amblyopia treatment is considered when one eye sees less well than the other, and it works better when started early.
- Strabismus surgery is considered when the misalignment is stable, causes double vision or affects appearance, or when glasses and exercises are not enough.
- ROP treatment is time-critical and is decided by the neonatal and retina teams, usually where the baby is already being cared for.
Travelling with a premature baby is rarely straightforward, so for ROP it is worth asking the treating team in your own country whether a transfer is advisable at all before you ask for a plan abroad.
What a trip and recovery usually look like
An assessment can often be completed in a day or two, though children's eye examinations sometimes need dilating drops, which blur vision for several hours. Strabismus surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia, especially in children, and many patients go home the same day or after one night. The eye is often red and sore for a week or so, and double vision or an unusual alignment can appear temporarily as the eyes adjust.
Because eye muscles and the brain need time to settle, a follow-up check is part of a sensible plan. Ask how long the surgeon wants you to stay in Turkey before flying home, what the follow-up schedule is, and who will review the eyes once you are home. Amblyopia care continues for months or years, so a trip abroad is typically a start or a second opinion, with the day-to-day treatment continuing locally.
What affects the price
The cost depends mainly on the type of procedure and how many muscles are operated on, whether one or both eyes are treated, the anaesthesia required, the length of the hospital stay and the facility and surgeon involved. Travel, accommodation and a companion for a child are separate from the hospital fee. No reliable price can be given without an examination, so always compare written plans that list the same items.
How to check a hospital and surgeon
Look for an ophthalmologist who regularly treats strabismus, ideally with a paediatric ophthalmology focus if the patient is a child, and ask how many such operations they perform in a year. Confirm that the hospital is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health and has paediatric anaesthesia support and appropriate facilities for children. Ask what the usual complications are, such as under- or over-correction, and what happens if a second operation is needed. Request the surgeon's name, the planned procedure and the follow-up arrangements in writing. Our page on strabismus surgery gives more detail on the procedure itself.
How an enquiry with us works
You can send a free quote request with the patient's age, a short description of the problem and any recent reports, prescriptions or photographs. A licensed hospital reviews the information and, where it can, replies with a written plan that names the surgeon, the proposed approach, the expected length of stay and the full price. Asking for a plan is free and does not commit you to travel. A coordinator can then help with appointments, transfers and questions before and after your visit.
Hospitals with Eye Surgery in Turkey
Conditions
Other Eye Surgery categories
Frequently asked questions
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes, often called a squint or cross-eye. Glasses, patching, exercises or surgery on the eye muscles can improve alignment, depending on the type and cause. An ophthalmologist decides which approach suits the individual.
In children it almost always is, because they need to stay still. Adults may sometimes have local or topical anaesthesia with sedation, particularly for adjustable techniques. The anaesthetist and surgeon will agree the method with you beforehand.
Many people return to light activity within a few days, though redness and soreness can last a week or two. Your surgeon will give specific advice on drops, swimming and rubbing the eyes, and will want to review the eyes after surgery.
Yes. Adults have surgery for long-standing squints, double vision after injury or illness, and for appearance. The surgeon will explain whether the aim is to relieve double vision, improve alignment or both, and what is realistic.
Treatment usually starts with correcting any need for glasses, then encourages the weaker eye with patching or eye drops that blur the stronger one. It works better in childhood and often continues for months, so most of it takes place near home.
It depends on the baby's condition and stability. ROP treatment is time-critical, so please speak to your neonatal team first and ask whether transfer is safe before requesting a plan abroad. Our coordinators can pass your reports to a hospital.
Use the free quote form, give the patient's age and a short description, and attach recent reports or photographs. A licensed hospital then replies with a written plan. Asking is free and does not commit you to travel.