Strabismus

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not line up properly. It occurs when the eyes are not working together as a team—one eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward—causing the eyes to focus on two different objects at the same time. The condition ranges from mild to severe and can be present in one or both eyes.

Strabismus is sometimes referred to as “crossed eyes,” although this is technically not correct. True crossed eyes would mean that both eyes turn in the same direction. Most strabismus cases involve only one eye turning, no matter the direction.

Signs and Symptoms of Strabismus

Signs and symptoms of strabismus depend on age and the type of strabismus. Common signs and symptoms of strabismus include:

• Unaligned eyes: One eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other eye looks straight ahead.
• Head tilting: To maintain binocular vision, the person may tilt their head to one side.
• Squinting: The person may squint one eye in bright light.
• Closing or covering one eye: This is done to better see objects in the environment.
• Double vision: The person may see two of everything.

Types of Strabismus

There are many different types of strabismus, depending on where the eye turns. The four most common types of strabismus are:

• Esotropia: One eye turns inward toward the nose.
• Exotropia: One eye turns outward away from the nose.
• Hypertropia: One eye turns upward.
• Hypotropia: One eye turns downward.

Treatment of Strabismus

One of the most common treatments for strabismus is eye patching. Eye patches are placed over the strong eye, allowing the weaker eye to strengthen muscles and improve vision. Another treatment is corrective glasses. These help to correct any refractive errors in the eyes, allowing both eyes to focus properly. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct strabismus.

Strabismus is a serious condition that can lead to vision problems, double vision, and even depth perception loss. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to getting the most effective treatment. If you suspect your child has strabismus, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.