The Eyes Have It
Hello! I know it has been a while since I posted any updates. Life gets busy as I'm sure you know. I have been busy in a very good way! In fact, as I am writing, I am seeing only one computer screen, no double vision! Let me explain how I got here.
Consultation
In March, I had my initial consult with the UCSF Adult Strabismus and Eye Motility Disorders Clinic. I had the great fortune to be assigned to Dr. Indaram. She confirmed my sixth cranial nerve palsy and explained that I would be a good candidate for surgical correction with strabismus surgery.
Strabismus Surgery
As a recap, damage to my sixth cranial nerve occurred when I had my craniotomy for my meningioma. The sole purpose of sixth cranial nerve, or abducens nerve, is to innervate the muscle which pulls the eye outward. This muscle is called the lateral rectus and when it is not working correctly, the muscle opposing it (medial rectus) pulls the eye toward the nose, resulting in double vision.
Strabismus surgery works by relocating or decreasing the length of the eye movement muscles in order to better align the eyes, thereby decreasing the double vision. We actually have six muscles in each eye that surgeons can manipulate in order to restore single vision.
Surgery Day
Initially I was not scheduled for my eye surgery until July 29th. However, a cancellation occurred and USCF offered to bump my surgery up to May 8th, 2026. Of course I jumped on the opportunity! Steve and I went down to the bay on May 7th, waking up bright and early on May 8th for my 7:30 am procedure.
Dr. Indaram relocated two muscles in my right eye and one muscle in my left eye to improve my eye alignment. For those who are curious, she decreased the length of both medial rectus muscles and changed the position of the superior rectus muscle. I have no idea how the next part works exactly but I will explain what I know. In the post op recovery area, she checked my vision and made some final adjustments to the sutures to maximize the improvement in my alignment. My eyes were completely numb for this step, and honestly it wasn't much different than having your mouth numbed for a dental procedure.
Improvements and Limitations
Currently it is too early to say how much my vision has improved. Straight ahead vision is so much better. However, I still get double vision looking down or the left. The double vision downward may improve with time, but I will always have double if I try looking to my left. Regardless, I am so happy to have this much improvement so far!
