Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition that exists when the eyes are misaligned - they don't look at the same point at the same time. One eye may move normally, while the other points in, out, up or down. Strabismus can also be called "crossed eyes."

Sometimes caused by unequal or underdeveloped eye muscles, strabismus is often present in newborns. The condition usually disappears after three or four months, once infants have developed the necessary muscle control. True strabismus exists if the symptoms do not fade over time. Strabismus can be caused by head injury that leads to nerve or muscle damage. This injury can occur before birth, during childhood or even in adulthood. Head trauma, diabetes, high blood pressure, brain tumor, stroke and other muscle and nerve disorders can cause adult-onset strabismus.

Without treatment, strabismus can lead to permanent vision problems. Treatment for strabismus is aimed at improving or restoring the alignment of the eyes so that they look at the same point in space at the same time. This can be done through corrective eyewear, such as patching or eyeglasses, medications or eye drops to help with focus, or corrective surgery, during which doctors change the length of position of the muscles around the eye in order to promote alignment.

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Strabismus Topics

Strabismus, causes, surgery, bilateral, restrictive, convergent, vertical, plagiocephaly