Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are unable or have difficulty maintaining parallel alignment and focusing on the same target in the same direction. Usually, one eye plays the dominant role while the other deviates. However, there are cases in which both eyes deviate alternately. Strabismus can appear at a very young age, even before six months (congenital strabismus). There are various types of strabismus, such as hypertropia (the deviating eye “looks” upward), esotropia (the deviating eye “looks” toward the nose), exotropia, and others.
Early diagnosis is therefore very important, as it can prevent permanent problems, such as loss of vision in the deviating eye (amblyopia or “lazy eye”) and help detect more serious underlying pathological conditions.
This condition can be caused by various factors, such as:
The effects of strabismus can significantly impact a child’s daily life and psychological well-being.
Treatment of strabismus aims to restore and maintain good vision as well as realign the deviating eyes. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination to determine the underlying causes, the ophthalmologist can recommend the appropriate treatment.
In cases of refractive error, the ophthalmologist prescribes glasses to achieve the proper level of vision. Often, the technique of covering (penalization) the “good” eye for a few hours during the day is used to exercise the deviating eye, aiming to improve its vision.