Junior Blind of America

 

Definition:
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not both directed toward the same point simultaneously. Strabismus occurs when eye muscles are not working together properly. It is most commonly inherited condition, but may also be caused by disease or injury. Strabismus most often begins in early childhood. It is sometimes called crossed-eyes, walleye, or squint.

Cause:
When the eye muscles do not work correctly, the eyes may become misaligned, and the brain may not be able to merge the two images. Sometimes strabismus develops when the eyes compensate for other vision problems, such as farsightedness (able to see distant objects better than nearby ones). Adults may develop strabismus from eye or blood vessel damage. Loss of vision, an eye or brain tumor, Graves’ disease, stroke, trauma, cerebral vascular accident, seizure disorders, and various muscle and nerve disorders can also cause strabismus in children over the age of 3 and adults.

Characteristics:
Some characteristics of strabismus include:

• Eyes appear to be crossed
• Eyes do not align in the same direction
• There is visible indication that the eyes do not move together in coordination
• Experience double vision
• Experience vision in only one eye
• Experience loss of depth perception
• Experience poor eye-hand co-ordination
• Blurred vision
• Tired eyes
• Sensitivity to light

 

The doctor may have the child look at an object while covering and then uncovering each eye. This allows the doctor to determine which eye turns, how much it turns, and under what circumstances the abnormal turn occurs. These tests will also help the doctor to determine whether the child has amblyopia (diminished sight in one eye, also known as “lazy eye”) or strabismus. Strabismus is not to be confused with amblyopia. Amblyopia is the loss of vision in a strabismic eye.

If diagnosed early, strabismus can usually be corrected. The condition may be treated with corrective eyeglasses, eye-muscle exercises, surgery, or a combination of these approaches. Young children with this condition may need to wear an eye patch over their stronger eye to force their weaker eye to function correctly. Children whose strabismus is not corrected may develop amblyopia (diminished sight in one eye, also called “lazy eye”). Strabismus is a relatively common condition that affects males and females equally and typically is present at birth or is observed during the first three years of life.

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