Strabismus

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a vision problem in which the eyes are not aligned properly and may point in different directions. It commonly affects children, though adults can have it too. When one eye focuses straight ahead, the other eye may turns inward, outward, upward, or downward.

The signs of strabismus, namely the turning of one eye, may be consistent, or it may periodically come and go. The eye that’s straight may switch or alternate.

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Strabismus?

The most common sign of strabismus is noticing that one of your eyes isn’t straight. In children, oftentimes staring into sunlight causes squinting in only one eye. They also might tilt their head in an attempt to straighten their eyes.

Even though the eyes of infants often appear to be crossed, this is usually a condition known as pseudostrabismus, which most infants grow out of. But infants don’t simply grow out of true strabismus. The professionals at Cooper Eye Care can easily distinguish between the two conditions.

What Causes Strabismus?

In each of your eyes, certain muscles are responsible for controlling eye movement in all directions. To properly focus both eyes on what you want to look at, all those muscles must work in perfect harmony. Any small hitch can throw that off.

With normal vision, both of your eyes focus on the same spot, allowing you to see clearly. If one eye is out of alignment, as is the case for strabismus sufferers, your can lose depth perception or develop double vision.

Strabismus is particularly common amongst children who have brain disorders, including:

• Brain tumors
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Prematurity

A cataract or an eye injury that affects your vision can lead to strabismus as well. Having a family history of strabismus can also be a contributing factor.

How is Strabismus Treated?

If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from strabismus, the professionals at Cooper Eye Care can perform a comprehensive in-office eye exam to diagnose any problems.

Depending on the specifics of your condition, treatment for strabismus may involve prescription glasses to straighten the eyes, surgery to detach and reposition eye muscles, or vision therapy to improve eye muscle coordination. The recommended course of treatment depends on factors such as your or your child’s age and the severity of the condition.

To find out more about strabismus treatment options, call Cooper Eye Care or schedule an appointment online today.