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Original poster

Strabismus Double vision - Botox

10 replies

caterpiller2 · 22/02/2024 08:24

Can anyone tell me I have Botox for my double vision. Things have improved as I don't have blurred vision and now have depth perception. However my double vision remains. I have the minimum amount of Botox . When I asked my consultant could he possibly add a little more he said no. Initially he said the Botox made no difference even though I argued it did. Then he said I can't have surgery anymore because he said the Botox is working. I am totally confused. Has anybody been down this route. Can anybody please give advice

OP posts:
SlightlyConcerned23 · 22/02/2024 11:32

Botox is only temporary so you can have surgery after it has worn off — I think they like surgery to be at least six months after your last Botox. I forget the timescale.

However, it depends how bad your squint is. They only aim to reduce it below 10 degrees (or whatever the unit is)… if your squint is 10 or less they’re pretty unlikely to do surgery.

I am rather confused by your description of having double vision and depth perception at the same time though. For me it would be one or the other — you need your eyes working together (no double vision) for depth perception.

Station11 · 22/02/2024 12:31

You could have a prism put into a pair of glasses for the residual amount of the squint. If you go and have an eye exam, they can discuss this.

Original poster
caterpiller2 · 22/02/2024 15:49

Thanks for getting back to me guys. The scale was 18 and after Botox went to 8 . It then crept up to 12. Before Botox I was really unsteady on my feet as I was drunk. When going down steps I felt like things were nearer than they actually were. I was hoping the surgeon would rid me altogether of my squint

OP posts:
SlightlyConcerned23 · 22/02/2024 15:59

How long ago was your Botox?

Original poster
caterpiller2 · 22/02/2024 16:31

Just had the second lot 2 weeks ago

OP posts:
Original poster
caterpiller2 · 22/02/2024 16:33

I do have a prism in my glasses I just wanted rid of the double vision without glasses

OP posts:
Original poster
caterpiller2 · 22/02/2024 16:35

When reading up on Botox it does say rids blurred vision which has happened . Perception of depth could have been due to verificals which I don't wear any

OP posts:
Station11 · 23/02/2024 11:11

SlightlyConcerned23 · 22/02/2024 11:32

Botox is only temporary so you can have surgery after it has worn off — I think they like surgery to be at least six months after your last Botox. I forget the timescale.

However, it depends how bad your squint is. They only aim to reduce it below 10 degrees (or whatever the unit is)… if your squint is 10 or less they’re pretty unlikely to do surgery.

I am rather confused by your description of having double vision and depth perception at the same time though. For me it would be one or the other — you need your eyes working together (no double vision) for depth perception.

You can have peripheral fusion of varying degrees which can give some depth perception even when you don't have central fusion.

@caterpiller2 I'd contact the department again and ask for a written statement as to why you have been refused futher treatment. It may be in your area that they limit repeat injections or squint surgery which is deemed cosmetic only.

You may be able to improve your squint control by using a Brock String which can help to maintain fusion better. You'll need to look for a ophthalmic practitioner in your area to teach you and it's not available on the NHS.

SisyphusDad · 23/02/2024 11:28

I was told that Botox was only worthwhile for very large distortion, as it is impossible to calibrate the dose for small variations. From memory, for anything less than 10 they can only use a prism.

If you don't want glasses, I'm sure my optician said that you can now get contact lenses that can correct for diplopia. Could that be an option?

Station11 · 23/02/2024 15:41

SisyphusDad · 23/02/2024 11:28

I was told that Botox was only worthwhile for very large distortion, as it is impossible to calibrate the dose for small variations. From memory, for anything less than 10 they can only use a prism.

If you don't want glasses, I'm sure my optician said that you can now get contact lenses that can correct for diplopia. Could that be an option?

They don't exist. Some toric contact lenses have a prisms in them to stabilise so that they properly correct astigmatic prescriptions, but not to control eye muscle deviations.

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