What is strabismus?
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes are not correctly aligned. While one eye looks directly at the viewed object, the other eye will be turned inward, outward, upward or downward. It is one of the most common eye conditions in children, but it can also occur in adults.
It is commonly known as “crossed” or “turned” eyes, and sometimes it is intermittent and only noticeable when a child is tired. Often caused by problems with the muscles or nerves controlling the eye, strabismus should be investigated as early as possible, as it is a condition that children will not outgrow. Apart from the vision problems it causes, strabismus can also cause significant issues with self-esteem, as both children and adults with the condition feel very self-conscious about how they appear when having eye contact with other people.
Symptoms
In a young child with strabismus, two different images are sent to the brain. This may initially cause double vision, however the brain eventually learns to ignore the image of the misaligned eye and sees only the image from the straight eye. This can also result in a loss of depth perception. Strabismus more commonly develops in young children, mostly by age 3, however older children and adults can also develop the condition. Adults who develop strabismus often have double vision because the brain has already learned to accept images from both eyes.
Treatment of strabismus
Early detection and treatment of strabismus can have excellent results. The patient will have a thorough eye examination with the strabismus specialist, who will recommend appropriate treatment. The aims of strabismus treatments are to straighten the eyes, restore binocular vision and correct associated vision loss (amblyopia). These treatments may include:
Squint (strabismus) surgery
During strabismus surgery, the eye muscles are loosened or tightened in order to change the alignment of the eye. Strabismus surgery is performed in an operating theatre under a general anaesthetic, and the patient usually goes home the same day.