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Muscle recession surgery is an eye muscle procedure used to treat strabismus, which is when the eyes do not point the same way. The surgeon moves an eye muscle attachment back on the eye to reduce its pull. This can help straighten the eyes and reduce double vision in some cases. It is commonly paired with other muscle procedures based on the pattern of misalignment.
read more about recession (muscle) ...This surgery is used for crossed eyes, outward drifting eyes, and certain vertical misalignments. It can also help when a person has double vision from an alignment problem. In children, it is sometimes done to support binocular vision development. In adults, it is often done to improve alignment and comfort in daily life.
The procedure is usually done under anesthesia. The surgeon reaches the muscle through the white part of the eye, then reattaches it a little farther back. The eye itself is not removed, and the surgery works on the surface tissues. Some cases use adjustable stitches so alignment can be fine-tuned soon after surgery.
Redness and a scratchy feeling are common for the first week or two. Drops or ointment are used to reduce inflammation and lower infection risk. Many people return to normal routines within days, but sports and swimming are usually paused for a bit. Follow-up visits check healing and alignment changes.
Results depend on the type of strabismus and how the muscles respond. Some people need more than one surgery over time, especially if the misalignment is large. Risks include infection, scarring, or undercorrection or overcorrection that leaves some drift. Call a clinician for severe pain, major swelling, or sudden vision loss.
No. Adults get this surgery too, especially for double vision or a long-standing drift. The goals in adults often focus on alignment and comfort in daily tasks.
It can, if double vision is caused by an eye alignment problem. Some people still need prism glasses or more treatment after surgery. Your surgeon can explain what to expect for your case.
Redness can hide the final look for a couple of weeks. Alignment can also settle as swelling goes down. Most follow-up checks happen in the first month to track the change.
Glasses can still be needed for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Surgery changes muscle pull, not the eye's focusing power. Some people also keep prism if small double vision remains.
Strabismus Surgery: Procedure Details & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24488-strabismus-surgery. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.
Strabismus Surgery. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). https://aapos.org/glossary/strabismus-surgery. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.
Adjustable Sutures for Strabismus Surgery. EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology). https://eyewiki.org/Adjustable_Sutures_for_Strabismus_Surgery. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.
Strabismus Surgery Complications. EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology). https://eyewiki.org/Strabismus_Surgery_Complications. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.
Medial Rectus Recession - Fornix Approach With Hang-Back Technique. EyeRounds.org, University of Iowa. https://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eyeforum/video/PediatricOphth-Strabismus-vids/medial-rectus-recession.htm. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.