Strabismus

Strabismus, commonly known as “crossed eyes” or “squint,” is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. One eye may turn in, out, up, or down while the other eye remains focused. This misalignment can occur intermittently or constantly and can affect one or both eyes. Strabismus is often present from birth or develops in early childhood, but it can also occur in adults due to neurological or eye muscle issues.

Without treatment, strabismus can lead to complications such as amblyopia (lazy eye), where the brain starts to ignore the visual input from the misaligned eye, resulting in permanent vision loss in that eye. Treatments for strabismus include corrective glasses, eye patches, vision therapy, or surgery to realign the eye muscles. Early detection and intervention are crucial for successful outcomes.
Strabismus can affect individuals of all ages, but it most commonly appears in children. If left untreated, it can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye), where the brain favors one eye over the other, resulting in permanent vision loss in the weaker eye. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term visual impairment.

Causes of Strabismus Strabismus can develop due to several factors, including:

• Genetics: A family history of strabismus increases the likelihood of developing the condition.
• Muscle Imbalance: The six muscles that control eye movement may not work together properly, leading to misalignment.
• Refractive Errors: Conditions like farsightedness (hyperopia) can cause the eyes to strain, leading to strabismus.
• Neurological Conditions: Disorders affecting the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy or stroke, can result in strabismus.
• Injury or Trauma: Damage to the eye or surrounding structures can cause misalignment.
• Congenital Factors: Some children are born with strabismus due to abnormal development of the eye muscles or nerves.

Symptoms of Strabismus The symptoms of strabismus may vary depending on the severity and type of misalignment. Common signs include:

• Eyes that appear misaligned or point in different directions
• Double vision or difficulty focusing on objects
• Tilting or turning the head to see more clearly
• Squinting or closing one eye to reduce double vision
• Difficulty with depth perception
• Eye strain or headaches

In children, strabismus may also present as frequent eye rubbing or covering one eye, particularly when reading or focusing on close objects. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or your child, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.

Diagnostic Services At Sri Nirwana Netralaya, our experienced ophthalmologists perform thorough evaluations to diagnose strabismus and determine the underlying cause. Our diagnostic services include:

• Comprehensive Eye Exams: We assess visual acuity, eye alignment, and muscle function to identify strabismus and its severity.
• Corneal Light Reflex Test: This test helps detect eye misalignment by observing the reflection of light on the cornea.
• Cover-Uncover Test: By covering one eye at a time, we can detect shifts in eye alignment, which indicates strabismus.
• Prism Testing: We use prisms to measure the degree of misalignment and assess how well the eyes work together.
• Dilated Eye Exam: By dilating the pupils, we can examine the internal structures of the eye and rule out other conditions that may be causing the misalignment.

Treatment Options for Strabismus Sri Nirwana Netralaya offers a variety of treatment options to correct strabismus and improve eye alignment. The treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s age, the type and severity of strabismus, and the underlying cause. Our treatment options include:

• Corrective Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses:

  • For patients with refractive errors, such as hyperopia, corrective lenses can help reduce the strain on the eyes and improve alignment.

• Patching (Occlusion Therapy):

  • In cases where one eye is significantly stronger than the other, patching the stronger eye forces the weaker eye to work harder, strengthening it over time and improving alignment.

• Prism Glasses:

  • Special prism lenses can help align the images seen by both eyes, reducing double vision and eye strain.

• Vision Therapy:

  • Vision therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the eye muscles and improve coordination between the eyes. This non-surgical approach is particularly effective for children with mild to moderate strabismus.

• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections:

  • Botox can be injected into the stronger eye muscle to temporarily weaken it, allowing the weaker muscle to realign the eyes. This treatment is often used in cases of acquired strabismus or when surgery is not an immediate option.

• Strabismus Surgery:

  • For patients with significant misalignment or when other treatments are not effective, surgery may be necessary. Strabismus surgery involves repositioning the eye muscles to correct the alignment. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and has a high success rate.

  Common strabismus surgeries offered at Sri Nirwana Netralaya include:

  • Recession Surgery: Weakening an overactive muscle by reattaching it further back on the eye.
  • Resection Surgery: Strengthening a weak muscle by shortening it and reattaching it to the eye.
  • Adjustable Sutures: Allows for fine-tuning the eye position during surgery, offering more precise alignment.