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Strabismus (Crossed eyes)

Overview


Disorder in which the eyes don't look in exactly the same direction at the same time. Causes of strabismus can include nerve injury or dysfunction of the muscles controlling the eye. The main symptom is eyes that don't look in exactly the same direction at the same time. Crossed eyes can usually be corrected with early treatment. Several treatment options exist to align the eyes. They include special eye wear, use of an eye patch and rarely surgery.



What causes strabismus?

Most strabismus results from an abnormality of the neuromuscular control of eye movement. Our understanding of these control centers in the brain is still evolving. Less commonly, there is a problem with the actual eye muscle. Strabismus is often inherited, with about 30 percent of children with strabismus having a family member with a similar problem.



How is strabismus diagnosed?

Anyone older than four months of age who appears to have strabismus should have a complete eye examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist, with extra time spent examining how the eyes focus and move. The exam may include the following:

1.Patient history (to determine the symptoms the patient is having, family history, general health problems, medications being used and any other possible causes of symptoms)

2.Visual acuity (reading letters from an eye chart, or examining young children’s visual behavior)

3.Refraction (checking the eyes with a series of corrective lenses to measure how they focus light). Children do not have to be old enough to give verbal feedback when checking for glasses.

4.Alignment and focus tests

5.Examination after dilation (widening) of the pupils to determine the health of internal eye structures


How is strabismus treated?

Treatment options include the following:


1.Eyeglasses or contact lenses: Used in patients with uncorrected refractive errors. With corrective lenses, the eyes will need less focusing effort and may remain straight.

2.Prism lenses: Special lenses that can bend light entering the eye and help reduce the amount of turning the eye must do to look at objects.

3.Eye muscle surgery: Surgery changes the length or position of eye muscles so that the eyes are aligned correctly.

4.Medications: Eye drops or ointments. Also, injections of botulinum toxin type A (such as Botox) can weaken an overactive eye muscle. These treatments may be used with, or in place of, surgery, depending on the patient's situation.


What can happen if strabismus is not treated?

Some believe that children will outgrow strabismus or that it will get better on its own. In truth, it can get worse if it is not treated.

If the eyes are not properly aligned, the following may result:

1.Lazy eye (amblyopia) or permanent poor vision in the turned eye. When the eyes are looking in different directions, the brain receives two images. To avoid double vision, the brain may ignore the image from the turned eye, resulting in poor vision development in that eye.

2.Blurry vision, which can affect performance in school and at work, and enjoyment of hobbies and leisure activities

3.Eye strain

4.Fatigue

5.Headaches

6.Double vision

7.Poor 3-dimensional (3-D) vision

8.Low self-esteem (from embarrassment about one’s appearance)



At what age can cross eyes be fixed?

During the first few months of life many infants appear cross-eyed at times. This normally resolves once they reach about 4 months. If your child still is having issues with a turned eye after that, it is definitely time to be concerned. We will explain why.


How serious is strabismus?

Strabismus is an intermittent or constant misalignment of an eye so that its line of vision is not pointed at the same object as the other eye. If untreated, strabismus can cause amblyopia. Vision loss may be permanent if the disorder... read more (a decrease in vision) and permanent loss of vision.



how to fix cross eyes naturally

Start by holding a pencil out at arm's length, pointing away from you. Focus your gaze on the eraser or a letter or numeral on the side. Slowly move the pencil toward the bridge of your nose. Keep it in focus for as long as you can, but stop once your vision gets blurry.





































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