Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes or wandering eye, is a condition where the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions.
This misalignment means that while one eye focuses on an object, the other eye may turn:
- Inward (esotropia): Towards the nose.
- Outward (exotropia): Away from the nose.
- Upward (hypertropia): Upward.
- Downward (hypotropia): Downward.
The brain receives two different visual images and, in children, may learn to ignore the image from the deviating eye to avoid double vision. This can lead to amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, in the suppressed eye. In adults, strabismus usually causes double vision because the brain has already learned to receive images from both eyes.
Key Characteristics of Strabismus:
- Misalignment: The primary characteristic; eyes do not look in the same direction simultaneously.
- Variable Presentation: Can be constant or intermittent, and the direction of the deviation can vary.
- Potential for Amblyopia: If untreated in children, it can lead to reduced vision in one eye.
- Double Vision (Diplopia): Common symptom in adults who develop strabismus.
Causes:
Strabismus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Muscle Weakness or Paralysis: Issues with the muscles that control eye movement.
- Nerve Damage: Affecting the signals sent to the eye muscles.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected farsightedness can sometimes contribute.
- Genetic Predisposition: A family history of strabismus increases the risk.
Treatment:
Treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the strabismus and can include:
- Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: To correct refractive errors.
- Prism Lenses: To help align the images seen by each eye.
- Eye Exercises: To strengthen eye muscles.
- Patching: Covering the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work harder (used to treat amblyopia).
- Surgery: To adjust the eye muscles' position and improve alignment.
