Strabismus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Strabismus is a condition in which the alignment of the eyes is disturbed, so instead of the eyes looking together in the same direction, one of them deviates from the path, possibly turning inward (toward the nose), outward, up, or down. The deviation may be constant or intermittent, in one eye or alternating between the eyes. Strabismus is common in children and may appear from birth or in the early years, and may also occur in adults due to various causes.

The coordinated movement of the eyes together depends on the eye muscles and nerve signals from the brain, and any disturbance in this harmony leads to strabismus. It may be associated with uncorrected refractive errors (especially farsightedness), weakness in the eye muscles, or neurological causes. The most important thing to understand in childhood strabismus is that the brain, to avoid double vision, may ignore the image coming from the deviating eye, and if this continues without treatment that eye gradually weakens and develops what is known as lazy eye, and its vision weakness may become permanent if not treated early. For this reason, strabismus in children is not just a cosmetic matter but may threaten vision. In adults strabismus often causes bothersome double vision.

Early detection and treatment are the key to good results, especially in early childhood when the visual system is still developing and responds to treatment. So showing any child suspected of having strabismus to an eye doctor, and not waiting for it to improve with age, is advised. Evaluation begins with a complete eye examination and vision measurement. Treatment depends on the cause and age, and may include: prescription glasses to correct refractive errors (which may correct the strabismus alone in some cases), patching the healthy eye to stimulate the lazy eye to work, strengthening exercises for the eye muscles, and in certain cases surgery to adjust the eye muscles and realign them. Many children achieve excellent results with early treatment. The important awareness message: do not ignore your child's strabismus no matter how mild or intermittent it seems.

• Deviation of one eye (inward, outward, up, or down).
• May be constant or intermittent.
• Double vision (especially in adults).
• In children: head tilting or closing an eye, and lazy eye may develop.

• A disturbance in the harmony of the eye muscles and nerve signals.
• Uncorrected refractive errors (especially farsightedness).
• Weak eye muscles or neurological causes, and sometimes hereditary.

• A complete eye examination and vision measurement by the eye doctor.
• Assessing the alignment and movement of the eyes.
• Early detection is important, especially in early childhood.

By cause and age

• Prescription glasses to correct refractive errors (which may correct the strabismus alone sometimes).
• Patching the healthy eye to stimulate the lazy eye.
• Strengthening exercises for the eye muscles.
• Surgery to adjust the eye muscles and realign them in certain cases.

Early treatment achieves excellent results in many children. This content is educational and does not replace consulting an eye doctor.

• Lazy eye and permanent vision weakness in the deviating eye if neglected.
• Double vision and impaired depth perception.
• A psychological and social impact in children.

• Early and regular vision screening of children to detect strabismus and refractive errors.
• Not ignoring any deviation even if it seems mild or intermittent.
• Adhering to glasses, patching, and prescribed treatment.