Best Strabismus Surgeon: Complete Guide to Finding the Right One [2026]

Finding the best strabismus surgeon is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your strabismus journey.

Unlike routine procedures, strabismus surgery requires highly specialized skills that not every ophthalmologist possesses.

This guide will walk you through everything I've learned about finding the best strabismus surgeon, what questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.

Start With Online Research

Google is your first stop when searching for the best strabismus surgeon. Search for strabismus surgeons or pediatric ophthalmologists in your area.

Look for:

• Board certification in ophthalmology
• Fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
• Hospital affiliations with reputable medical centers
• Patient reviews on Google, Healthgrades, and RealSelf

In my case, I was assigned a surgeon through the public hospital system. Even though I didn't choose my surgeon initially, I still did my own research to feel confident about the decision.

Reddit: A Gold Mine for Surgeon Recommendations

The r/Strabismus subreddit is one of the best resources for finding surgeon recommendations.

People share their honest experiences, both positive and negative. Here's what the Reddit community consistently recommends:

Look for pediatric ophthalmologists. This sounds counterintuitive for adults, but strabismus is far more common in children. Pediatric ophthalmologists have the most experience with eye muscle surgery because they perform it regularly.

Check if the surgeon's profile specifically mentions strabismus. You want someone whose primary focus IS strabismus surgery, not someone who occasionally performs it alongside cataract surgeries.

Children's hospitals often have the best strabismus surgeons. Multiple Reddit users recommend reaching out to children's hospitals even as an adult. These institutions have dedicated strabismus services and surgeons who perform these operations daily.

The Most Important Criterion: Surgical Volume

The single most important factor when evaluating a surgeon is: how many strabismus surgeries do they perform?

You want someone who does this routinely, not once a month or once a year.

The more surgeries they've performed:

• The more experience they have handling complications
• The better their judgment about how much muscle adjustment you need

Ask directly: "How many strabismus surgeries do you perform per month?" If the answer is less than 5-10, consider looking elsewhere.

Why Pediatric Ophthalmologists Are Often Best

This surprises many people, but pediatric ophthalmologists are often the most qualified to perform adult strabismus surgery.

Here's why:

Volume of cases. Strabismus is common in children, rare in adults. Pediatric specialists see far more cases. A pediatric ophthalmologist might perform 200+ strabismus surgeries per year, while a general ophthalmologist might do a handful.

Specialized fellowship training. The formal training for strabismus surgery happens during pediatric ophthalmology fellowships.

Delicate surgical skills. Eye muscle surgery requires precise, delicate technique. Pediatric surgeons develop these skills operating on small children's eyes.

18 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

Here are the essential questions to ask during your consultation:

About Experience (Most Critical)

1. How long have you been performing strabismus surgery?
2. How many strabismus surgeries do you perform per month/year?
3. Do you specialize in strabismus surgery?
4. Have you completed a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus?
5. What is your success rate for cases like mine?

About Your Specific Case

6. Will you operate on my strong eye, weak eye, or both?
7. How do you measure my deviation when my eye turn varies?
8. Which muscles will you operate on?
9. What technique will you use?
10. What outcomes do you expect for my specific case?

About Adjustable Sutures

11. Do you use adjustable sutures?
12. What percentage of your patients need adjustment?
13. When and how is the adjustment done?

About Complications

14. What are the chances I'll need a second surgery?
15. What are the serious complications I should know about?
16. Is there a risk of new double vision after surgery?

About Follow-up Care

17. What is your follow-up protocol?
18. Do you collaborate with vision therapists?

The best strabismus surgeon will answer all of these questions patiently. If they seem rushed or dismissive, that's a red flag.

The Importance of Adjustable Sutures

One key differentiator when finding the best strabismus surgeon is whether they use adjustable sutures.

What are adjustable sutures? Traditional surgery uses fixed sutures. Adjustable sutures use a slip-knot that allows fine-tuning after you wake up.

Why do they matter? When you're asleep, the surgeon can't perfectly predict how your eye will respond. Adjustable sutures allow corrections while you're awake and they can see exactly where your eyes are aligned.

What does the research say?

• One study found 81% success with adjustable sutures versus 65% with non-adjustable
• The benefit is especially pronounced for complex cases and reoperations

About 20-25% of patients benefit from postoperative adjustment. If your surgeon doesn't offer this, ask why.

Red Flags: When to Walk Away

Not all surgeons are equal. Watch for these warning signs:

Concerning Surgeon Behavior

• Rushes through your consultation
• Can't explain their surgical plan clearly
• Dismisses your concerns or seems annoyed
• Pressures you to schedule immediately
• Won't discuss alternatives
• Has no clear answer about surgical volume
• Doesn't use adjustable sutures and can't explain why

Concerning Credentials

• Not board-certified in ophthalmology
• No fellowship training in strabismus
• Very low surgical volume (fewer than 5-10 per month)
• No hospital affiliations

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, get a second opinion.

Getting a Second Opinion

Don't feel guilty about seeking a second opinion. Good surgeons expect and welcome it.

Many patients find that the second opinion either:

• Confirms the first opinion, giving confidence to proceed
• Offers a different perspective that changes their decision
• Reveals red flags they missed initially

When seeking a second opinion:

• Look for a surgeon at a different institution
• Bring your medical records from the first consultation
• Ask the same questions you asked before
• Compare how they communicate, not just their recommendations

Final Checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate any surgeon:

Credentials

• ☐ Board-certified in ophthalmology
• ☐ Fellowship-trained in strabismus
• ☐ Member of AAPOS
• ☐ Affiliated with a reputable hospital

Experience

• ☐ Performs 5+ strabismus surgeries per month
• ☐ Has 5-10+ years of experience
• ☐ Profile emphasizes strabismus specifically

Consultation Quality

• ☐ Answered all questions thoroughly
• ☐ Explained the surgical plan clearly
• ☐ Discussed realistic expectations
• ☐ Made you feel heard and respected

Technique

• ☐ Uses adjustable sutures
• ☐ Has clear follow-up protocol
• ☐ Open to vision therapy collaboration

If a surgeon checks most of these boxes, you've likely found the best strabismus surgeon for your case.

Related Guides

• Adult strabismus complete guide
• Surgery cost breakdown
• What to expect during recovery
• Surgery vs vision therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best strabismus surgeon near me?

Start with Google, check Reddit's r/Strabismus for recommendations, and look for pediatric ophthalmologists at children's hospitals. Focus on surgical volume and fellowship training.

Should I see a pediatric ophthalmologist as an adult?

Yes! Pediatric ophthalmologists often have the most strabismus surgery experience. Many treat adults regularly and are considered the best strabismus surgeon option.

How many surgeries should the best strabismus surgeon have performed?

Look for surgeons who perform at least 5-10 strabismus surgeries per month. The best strabismus surgeons often do 200+ per year.

What is the success rate of strabismus surgery?

First-time success rates are around 80%. With revision surgery if needed, rates reach 90%+. Adjustable sutures can improve these rates.

Should I get a second opinion before strabismus surgery?

Yes, especially if something feels off. Good surgeons welcome second opinions. This helps ensure you've found the best strabismus surgeon for your case.