Private adult squint (strabismus) surgery costs from £4,500 per eye in the UK in 2026 for a single-muscle correction, including the consultant surgeon, orthoptic assessment, theatre, the operation, post-op drops and follow-up. The cost rises where more than one eye muscle, or both eyes, need adjusting. Squint surgery realigns the eyes by strengthening or weakening the small muscles that move them — correcting double vision and the appearance of a turned eye. It is both a functional and a restorative procedure, and is available to adults whether the squint began in childhood or developed later in life. Read the full clinical detail on our adult squint surgery page.
What is adult squint surgery?
The eyes are moved by six small muscles attached to the outside of each eyeball. In a squint, the pull of these muscles is unbalanced, so the eyes do not point in the same direction. Surgery repositions or adjusts these muscles to bring the eyes back into alignment. It can resolve or reduce double vision, relieve the eye strain of constantly compensating, restore comfortable single vision, and improve the symmetry of the eyes.
Many adults are told as children that nothing more can be done — this is not true. Adult strabismus surgery is a well-established, effective operation, and correcting a long-standing squint can have a marked effect on both vision and confidence. Some smaller or unstable squints can alternatively be managed with botulinum toxin injections to the eye muscle, which your surgeon will discuss if appropriate.
Who might consider it
- Double vision from misaligned eyes that glasses or prisms cannot fully correct.
- A noticeable eye turn — inward, outward, up or down — affecting confidence.
- Eye strain or fatigue from the effort of keeping the eyes aligned.
- A childhood squint that was never treated or has recurred in adulthood.
- Loss of binocular vision (the eyes no longer working together).
Bothered by a squint or double vision? A consultation with orthoptic measurements confirms the type of squint and the surgery needed to correct it.
Book a squint assessmentWhat affects the cost
The price depends mainly on how many eye muscles need to be adjusted, and whether one or both eyes are operated on. Your surgeon confirms the exact figure after orthoptic measurements.
A squint can sometimes accompany other conditions such as a lazy eye (amblyopia); your consultant will assess the whole picture. Browse the full range of procedures on our treatments page or compare costs across our price list.
How squint surgery is performed
Adult squint surgery is usually a day case under general anaesthetic, though local anaesthetic with sedation is sometimes used. The operation takes around 30–60 minutes depending on how many muscles are adjusted.
- Once you are anaesthetised, the surgeon gently opens the thin conjunctiva covering the white of the eye to reach the muscle.
- The relevant eye muscle is detached and then either moved back (to weaken its pull) or shortened (to strengthen it).
- The muscle is re-secured in its new position with fine dissolvable stitches; an adjustable suture may be used so fine-tuning is possible afterwards.
- The conjunctiva is closed with dissolvable stitches; the eyeball is never removed from the socket.
- The eye is checked and you recover before going home the same day.
Recovery
The eye is red and sore for a couple of weeks, but most people are back to everyday activities within days. The alignment is usually evident straight away, settling fully over a few weeks.
First few days
The eye is red, gritty and watery, and may ache when looking around. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops begin. Most take a few days off work.
Weeks 1–2
Redness and soreness settle. Any adjustable suture is fine-tuned in the first day or two if used. Avoid swimming and rubbing the eye.
Weeks 3–6
Redness fades (it can take up to six weeks to disappear fully). Alignment stabilises and double vision, if present, usually improves.
Ongoing
A review confirms the result. Most adults are very satisfied with the improvement in alignment and comfort.
What is included in the price
Our adult squint surgery pricing is all-inclusive — there are no separate charges for the orthoptic assessment, theatre or routine aftercare.
- Self-pay: from £4,500 per eye for a single-muscle correction, including the consultant surgeon, orthoptic assessment, theatre and day-case fees, the operation, post-op drops and follow-up reviews. Multiple-muscle or both-eye surgery is quoted after assessment.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA where surgery is clinically indicated. We handle pre-authorisation.
- Finance: 0% options available to spread the cost.
Compare related procedures on our prices page, including adult lazy eye treatment.