Strabismus Treatment in Iran
At Ceritamed, every patient receives a thorough evaluation to identify the most effective treatment plan — whether non-surgical options such as prescription glasses or vision therapy, or strabismus surgery to restore eye alignment and improve visual function, with attention to cosmetic outcomes when that matters to the patient.
- Precision Eye Muscle Alignment for Children & Adults
- Expert Surgeons Specializing in Ocular Motility
- Restoring Binocular Vision & Natural Cosmetic Appearance
Crossed Eyes Surgery for Children and Adults
Strabismus — the medical term for misaligned or crossed eyes — can appear in early childhood or develop later in life, affecting appearance, self-confidence, and binocular vision. Many patients from Iraq, the Gulf states, and beyond travel to Iran for strabismus surgery, drawn by the combination of high medical expertise and accessible cost. At Ceritamed, we offer individualized strabismus treatment for both children and adults — surgical when needed, non-surgical when appropriate.
What Is Strabismus?
Strabismus is a condition in which both eyes fail to focus on the same point simultaneously. The deviation may be horizontal (inward or outward) or vertical, intermittent or constant, and may affect one or both eyes. It often results from an imbalance in the eye muscles or the neurological signals controlling eye movement. In children, untreated strabismus can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or impaired visual development.
Causes of Strabismus
- Congenital: Present at birth or within the first months of life; may be genetic or developmental
- Neurogenic: Associated with cranial nerve palsy or neurological conditions — requires accurate diagnosis before treatment
- Acquired: Develops later due to significant refractive error, eye injury, thyroid eye disease, or complications from prior eye procedures
Types of Strabismus
- Congenital: Appears early in childhood; timely surgery protects visual development and reduces amblyopia risk
- Neurogenic: Sudden onset in adults requires urgent evaluation before any intervention
- Intermittent: Appears under specific conditions (fatigue, screen time); non-surgical options tried first
- Constant: Fixed, persistent misalignment — surgical correction is typically the most effective approach
Strabismus vs. Lazy Eye — What's the Difference?
Strabismus is a physical misalignment of the eyes due to muscle or nerve imbalance. Amblyopia (lazy eye) is reduced visual development in one eye, often caused by the brain suppressing input from the misaligned eye. The two frequently occur together — which is why early, coordinated evaluation and treatment are essential.
When Is Strabismus Treatment or Surgery Needed?
Surgery is recommended when the deviation is significant, does not respond to non-surgical treatment, affects binocular vision or causes persistent double vision, or worsens over time. In children, timing is especially critical — early intervention supports normal visual development and reduces the risk of amblyopia. In adults, surgery addresses both functional goals (eliminating double vision, improving coordination) and cosmetic ones (appearance and confidence).
Strabismus Correction in Children vs. Adults
Children: Pediatric strabismus surgery follows comprehensive assessment of eye movement and vision, and may be combined with amblyopia treatment. Early timing matters — the visual system is still developing.
Adults: Surgery is both possible and common. Because the brain may have adapted to misalignment over many years, realistic expectations are discussed in detail before any procedure.
How Is Strabismus Surgery Performed?
- Pre-surgical evaluation: Full assessment of eye movement, deviation angle, visual acuity, and amblyopia screening
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia for children; general or local with sedation for adults
- Muscle adjustment: The surgeon repositions specific eye muscles using recession (weakening) or resection (strengthening) — or a combination — tailored to the deviation angle
- Recovery: Surgery typically takes under two hours. Most patients return to their accommodation the same day
Is Strabismus Surgery Done with Laser?
No. Strabismus surgery does not involve laser technology. It is a muscle-adjustment procedure — the extraocular muscles are repositioned to restore proper eye alignment. The term “laser strabismus surgery” is common online but medically inaccurate.
Can Strabismus Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes — in selected cases. Prescription glasses are effective when deviation is driven by refractive error. Vision therapy may help with intermittent strabismus or convergence insufficiency. Botulinum toxin injections are used in specific cases as a temporary or supplementary measure. When these approaches prove insufficient — or the deviation is large, constant, or affects vision — surgery is the most effective solution.
Results, Recovery & Post-Operative Care
Cosmetic outcomes: Improved eye alignment, natural balanced appearance, increased confidence Functional outcomes: Better binocular coordination, reduced eye strain, resolution of double vision in many adult cases
Alignment improvement is typically visible within days to weeks. Functional and neurological adaptation may be more gradual — particularly in children or adults with long-standing diplopia. Recovery is generally brief; most patients resume normal activities quickly.
After surgery: Use prescribed drops and ointments, avoid rubbing the eyes, attend all follow-up appointments. Some patients continue wearing glasses post-surgery — this does not indicate failure. Vision therapy exercises may be recommended to stabilize long-term results.
Safety — Is Strabismus Surgery Dangerous?
Generally a safe procedure. Discomfort is mild to moderate, managed with drops and pain relief. Uncommon complications include surface inflammation, prolonged redness, or alignment not fully achieved in one procedure. Partial recurrence is possible in some cases — a second adjustment may be needed, and this is always discussed transparently before surgery.
Why Choose Iran for Strabismus Surgery?
Iran offers advanced expertise in eye muscle surgery, specialized pediatric and adult strabismus surgeons, and significantly lower costs compared to Europe, the US, and neighboring countries — with structured follow-up accessible to medical tourism patients.
Strabismus Surgery Cost in Iran
| Destination | Approximate Cost |
| United States | $7,000 – $9,000+ |
| Europe | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Turkey | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Thailand | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| Iran (Ceritamed) | $700 – $1,600 |
Final cost depends on: single vs. both eyes, strabismus type and complexity, anesthesia, and support services.
Meet Our Specialist
Dr. Mostafa Sultan Sanjari Specialist in Ophthalmology & Eye Surgery — Strabismus and Ocular Motility
Dr. Sanjari brings focused expertise in strabismus correction for both children and adults, built on precise pre-surgical evaluation, individualized muscle planning, and structured post-operative follow-up.
Specialist in Ophthalmology & Eye Surgery
Specializes in strabismus and ocular motility surgery, providing personalized treatment plans and precise surgical care for both pediatric and adult patients.
Why Choose Ceritamed?
Individualized treatment plans, full transparency in evaluation and cost, and coordinated care from first contact to final follow-up. For international patients:
| Service | Details |
| speaking interpreter | Present throughout consultations and surgery |
| Airport transfer | Arrival and departure coordination |
| Hotel arrangement | Options to suit different budgets |
| SIM card + free internet | Connectivity from day one |
| Visa assistance | Support for medical visa when required |
Our goal: the patient focuses entirely on treatment. We handle everything else.
Local SIM Card
Hotel
Visa Assistance
Medical Interpreter
Airport & City Transportation
Free Internet Access
Procedure Overview
Anesthesia: General (for children) / Local with Sedation (for adults)
Procedure Duration: 1–2 Hours
Stay Duration in Iran: 5–7 Days
Frequently Asked Questions About Strabismus Treatment in Iran
Is strabismus surgery dangerous?
Generally safe when performed by a qualified specialist following thorough pre-operative evaluation.
Is strabismus surgery painful?
Discomfort is mild to moderate and well-controlled with prescribed medication and eye drops.
When does vision improve after surgery?
Alignment typically improves within days to weeks. Functional adaptation may be more gradual, particularly in children or adults with long-standing double vision.
Can strabismus return after surgery?
Partial recurrence is possible in some cases. A small number of patients may need a second adjustment — always discussed openly before surgery.
What is the success rate?
Depends on strabismus type, patient age, surgical planning, and post-operative compliance. When these factors align, results are consistently strong.