Can strabismus surgery be performed while having a cold?
Generally speaking, whether strabismus surgery can be performed during a cold depends on the patient's specific condition. Surgery is not recommended during the acute phase of a cold; however, it is usually acceptable once the cold has resolved or symptoms have significantly improved. The detailed analysis is as follows:

During an acute cold, patients often experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and coughing, and their immune system is typically weakened. Performing surgery at this time increases the risk of intraoperative and postoperative infections. Additionally, actions like coughing or sneezing may interfere with surgical precision. Postoperatively, reduced immunity may slow recovery and could even lead to ocular inflammation.
Once cold symptoms have completely subsided, or only mild fatigue remains without significant discomfort, the body's condition has generally recovered, making strabismus surgery relatively safe. At this point, normal immune function enables better tolerance of surgical trauma, reduces infection risks, facilitates smoother postoperative recovery, and helps ensure optimal surgical outcomes.
Prior to surgery, patients should proactively communicate their recent health status to the doctor, clearly disclosing any history of colds and the current recovery status. It is important to stay warm before surgery to avoid re-exposure to colds. Maintaining eye cleanliness, avoiding rubbing the eyes, and minimizing bacterial growth around the eyes will help create favorable physical conditions for the procedure.