What is Strabismus?
Strabismus refers four conditions:
- Esotropia (inward-turning eyes)
- Exotropia (outward-turning eyes)
- Hypertropia (one eye higher than level)
- Hypotropia (one eye lower than level)
Strabismus can be subtle or obvious, intermittent (occurring occasionally), or constant. It can affect one eye only or shift between the eyes.
What Causes Strabismus?
Strabismus usually begins in infancy or childhood. Some toddlers have accommodative esotropia: Their eyes cross because they need glasses for farsightedness. Most cases of strabismus do not have a well-understood cause but it seems to develop because eye muscles are uncoordinated and do not move the eyes together. Acquired strabismus can occur because of brain problem, eye socket injury, or thyroid eye disease.
Strabismus Symptoms
Strabismus symptoms in young children are mild. They may tilt their heads if their eyes work together in that position. Or, they may close or cover one eye when it deviates. In contrast, adults have more symptoms when they develop strabismus, including double vision and/or loss of depth perception. At all ages, strabismus is disturbing. Studies show school children with significant strabismus have self-image problems.
Treatment for Strabismus
Strabismus is treated by surgically adjusting the tension on the eye muscles until the eyes are as straight as possible. Results are usually better in young children. This outpatient surgery requires general anesthesia in children. Glasses with prism lenses and Botox injections in the eye muscles are alternatives to surgery in some cases. Eye exercises are rarely effective.
