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Questions for Your Surgeon

At my first consultation I froze and asked almost nothing. At my second, I brought a printed list and left feeling ten kilos lighter. These are the questions I asked, and the ones I wish I had. Tick the ones that matter to you, then print or copy your list for the appointment.

Made by a patient, not a doctor. Your care team may suggest better questions for your specific case. Full disclaimer.

About the surgeon and their experience

How many adult strabismus surgeries do you perform each year?
Do you specialize in strabismus, or is it one of several procedures you do?
What are your personal outcomes for cases like mine?
Have you treated my specific type and angle of deviation before?
Would you consider my case straightforward or complex, and why?

About my surgical plan

Which muscles will you operate on, and in one or both eyes?
Will you use adjustable sutures? Why or why not for my case?
What result are you aiming for: full alignment, or a specific target angle?
What are the chances I will need a second surgery someday?
Could this surgery give me double vision, and how would we handle it?
Are there non-surgical options I should try or rule out first?

Logistics, anesthesia, and cost

Will this be general anesthesia or local with sedation?
How long does the procedure itself take?
What will the total cost be, and what does my insurance cover?
Is this coded as functional (medically necessary) or cosmetic surgery?
Which medications should I stop before surgery, and when?
When is my first follow-up, and who do I call if something feels wrong at 2 a.m.?

About recovery

When can I realistically drive, work, and use screens again?
What drops will I need, how often, and for how long?
What level of pain or discomfort is normal, and what is a red flag?
When can I exercise, swim, wear contact lenses, and wear eye makeup?
What will my eye look like in the first weeks, how red is normal?
How long until we know the final alignment result?