Strabismus is an eye disorder that happens when both eyes do not line up in the same direction. The most common form of this condition is called crossed eyes and can be quite easy to spot. However, this condition can be expressed with less obvious symptoms as well. This condition can impact the quality of life for those who suffer from it, but there are some treatments that can be used to improve and alleviate strabismus.
This condition can be hard to diagnose in young children in the early stages because these children are not reading yet or doing tasks that make it apparent that there are changes that are happening to the eyes. However, as the condition progresses, it can become increasingly obvious that something is wrong.
In adults, strabismus is more commonly linked with a head injury or an illness. This means that the symptoms might show up abruptly after the inciting incident or condition has had an impact on the patient’s health. Slow and progressive strabismus is less common in adults than it is in children.
The common symptoms of strabismus are:
There are six muscles that control each eye. These muscles need to work as a team to allow the eyes to focus on the same things. When strabismus is present, these muscles are not coordinated, leading to the eyes being unable to hold a steady gaze or be controlled properly. This can lead to one eye looking toward the other, or it can progress into amblyopia, which is also known as a lazy eye.
The root cause of this condition is usually eye muscle control and not muscle strength or a brain problem. Many children develop this condition right after birth but outgrow it over the course of the first three years of their life. Adults can also develop strabismus, but the risk factors for adult strabismus are different from the risks for younger children.
The risk factors for Strabismus in children are:
Strabismus risk factors for adults are:
Diagnosis of this condition can be fairly simple in most cases. A basic vision acuity test will be done, and then a retinal exam will be performed. The ophthalmologist might also call for a neurological exam if there is suspected head trauma involved. In babies, the condition will be monitored for a period of time since many children outgrow their strabismus.
Treatment of this condition should be done right away to prevent the progression of the eye problem. Strengthening can be done with the use of corrective lenses and eye muscle exercises. If amblyopia is present, an eye patch might be worn over the stronger eye to try and encourage the weaker eye to get stronger. Surgery can also be done to realign the muscles in some cases.
When head trauma or an underlying health condition has caused strabismus, this issue will likely need to be addressed first before it is known if the strabismus will last. In some cases, resolving the underlying problem will also resolve the strabismus.
This condition cannot be prevented in most cases. Often it is a condition that is inherited, or which comes on after an accident or illness that cannot be avoided. Avoiding head trauma and seeking the support of a doctor if you have a disease like diabetes can help to prevent this issue in some cases.