On 10/19/05 8:04 PM, in article
1129777459.410880.155080@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com, "Susan"
<snewman@knology.net> wrote:

If you had a faden procedure, this is usually used to reduce the eye turn at
far without affecting the far angle. So, it is used when the eyes are
stright in the distance, and turn in with accommodation at near.

Are you turning in now just at near, again, or is the angle about the same
for distance and near?

BOTOX (botulinum toxin) (not botulism, which is a fatal disease) helps some
angles, but mainly if the angle is not specifically at near. It is not as
predictable nor controllable as surgery. When used for crossing, one inner
muscle (medial recuts) is injected, and this basically paralyzes the muscle
for at least a few weeks. The eye then turns way outwards (exotropic),
causing the medial to lengthen, and the lateral rectus to tighten somewhat.
As the toxin "wears off", the eye starts to turn in, but the msucle changes
that have happened may reduce the angle, or make it straight. Lasts a long
time IF there is fusion lock to hold the eyes in alignment. If not, the
effect is temporary. "Temporary" may mean a few weeks in some cases, to a
few years in other cases.

In any case, risk is low, and if it doesn't work, it does not preclude
having surgery. Can also be repeated if it works


David Robins, MD
Board certified Ophthalmologist
Pediatric and adult strabismus subspecialty
Member of AAPOS
(American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus).