Adult Strabismus Surgery Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day and Week by Week
If you are thinking about strabismus surgery, one of your first questions is probably what recovery will feel like. The good news is that most adults are surprised by how manageable it is. At PES Adult Strabismus Center, we walk every patient through the healing process before surgery so nothing catches you off guard. Here is what most people experience, from the day of surgery through the months that follow.
What Should I Expect on the Day of Strabismus Surgery?
Strabismus surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you will go home the same day. It is usually done under general anesthesia, although some adults choose local anesthesia with sedation. Your surgeon adjusts the small muscles that move your eye by working through the thin, clear layer that covers the white of the eye. There are no cuts to the skin, and the eye is never removed from its socket, which is a common myth.
At the end of surgery, our team places pain medicine around the eye to help keep you comfortable. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel groggy, and your eye may feel scratchy, water more than usual, or produce slightly pink tears. Plan to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. Your main job is simply to rest and begin using the eye drops or ointment your surgeon prescribes.
If adjustable sutures are used, your surgeon may check your alignment and adjust the muscle position shortly after surgery or at a later appointment. Numbing drops are used to minimize discomfort during the adjustment.
How Will I Feel in the First Few Days After Surgery?
The first two to three days are usually when you will feel the most discomfort, and it gets a little better each day. Many people say it feels like having an eyelash or a grain of sand in the eye, which comes from the small stitches that will dissolve on their own. Some swelling and redness are normal, and you may be sensitive to light, so sunglasses can help when you head outside.
During these first days, try to rest your eyes and avoid rubbing them. Keep water, soap, and shampoo out of your eyes when you wash your face or shower, and continue your drops exactly as prescribed. Light activities like watching TV, reading, or walking around the house are generally fine as long as they feel comfortable.
What Does Recovery Look Like During the First Week?
By the end of the first week, most adults feel much more like themselves. The scratchy feeling begins to ease, swelling goes down, and many people return to desk work and light daily activities. Until your surgeon clears you, we generally recommend that you:
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
- Skip swimming, hot tubs, and eye makeup
- Keep using your eye drops on schedule
- Wear your glasses if you normally need them to see clearly
Your first follow-up visit usually takes place within the first week or two. At PES Adult Strabismus Center, your surgeon will use this appointment to check your healing, look at your alignment, and answer any questions you have so far.
What Changes Between Weeks Two and Four?
This is the stage when recovery starts to feel like a distant memory for many patients. The eye muscles are skeletal muscle, the same type of tissue found in your arms and legs, and they continue healing steadily in their new position. The stitches dissolve, the scratchy feeling usually fades completely, and redness softens from bright red to a lighter pink.
Most adults are back to their normal routines during this time, including exercise once their surgeon gives the go-ahead. Your eyes may still tire a little more easily at the end of a long day, which is normal while healing continues.
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What Happens in the Months Following Strabismus Surgery?
You will likely notice a difference in your eye alignment right away, but your final result takes a little longer to show. As the last of the swelling goes down, your alignment continues to settle over the first six to eight weeks.
Around this time, your surgeon will take a careful measurement of your alignment, much like the ones taken during your consultation, and may prescribe prism glasses if needed. Most adults experience meaningful improvement in eye alignment after surgery, although results vary depending on the type and severity of strabismus. Some patients may need prism glasses or additional surgery to achieve their desired outcome. At PES Adult Strabismus Center, we stay with you through every step until your alignment has fully settled. You can learn more on our Strabismus Surgery for Adults page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strabismus Surgery Recovery
How Long Does the Red Eye Last After Strabismus Surgery?
Redness is usually the most noticeable part of recovery and the slowest to fade. It is brightest in the first week and softens to pink over the next few weeks. Some patients have small patches of redness that linger for six to eight weeks or a little longer. This is a normal part of healing and does not mean anything is wrong.
Is Double Vision Normal After Strabismus Surgery?
It can be. Some adults have temporary double vision (diplopia) as the brain adjusts to the new position of the eyes, and it often improves within days to a few weeks. Many adults who had double vision before surgery notice relief soon after. If it continues, your surgeon may suggest prism glasses while your alignment settles.
How Much Pain Should I Expect?
Most adults describe the feeling as soreness and scratchiness rather than sharp pain. It is strongest in the first two to three days and improves steadily after that. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough, but always follow your surgeon’s guidance on which ones to take.
When Can I Go Back to Work?
Most adults return to work within a week of surgery. People with desk jobs often go back sooner, while those whose work involves heavy lifting, dust, or physical strain may need a little more time. Your surgeon will help you decide what is right for your job.
When Should I Call My Doctor During Recovery?
Serious problems are uncommon, but call our office right away if you notice pain that gets worse instead of better, increasing swelling, thick yellow or green discharge, fever, or a sudden decrease in vision. Our team is always happy to answer questions, so if something does not feel right, please reach out.
Take the First Step Toward Aligned Eyes
Recovery from strabismus surgery takes a little patience, but for most adults, the first few days are the hardest part and each week brings steady progress. At PES Adult Strabismus Center, our surgeons are board-certified in ophthalmology and focus on adult eye alignment every day, and most health insurance plans cover strabismus surgery. It is never too late to improve your eye alignment, and your new future is a phone call away. Call us at 817-618-0511, request a consultation at our Fort Worth, Keller, Mansfield, or Prosper office, or take our Self-Test to see if treatment may be right for you.
Medically Reviewed By:
David F. Skanchy, MD
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Fellowship-Trained Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Last reviewed October 16, 2026
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via PES Adult Strabismus Center
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