General Information About Strabismus
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a disorder where the parallel alignment of the eyes is disrupted, causing one eye to look straight ahead while the other turns inward (toward the nose), outward, downward, or upward.
Uncoordinated movement of the 6 extraocular muscles that move the eye, high hyperopia (farsightedness), cerebral palsy, a history of febrile seizures, or genetic predisposition are the main factors causing strabismus.
Because babies have a wide nasal bridge and folds on their eyelids (epicanthus), an optical illusion is created that makes the eyes look crossed. This appearance resolves on its own as the child's face grows.
Yes, this is the biggest danger. To prevent double vision, the brain deletes (ignores) the image coming from the deviating eye. This causes the nerves of that eye to weaken, leading to lifelong blindness (lazy eye).
The angle and degree of deviation are accurately measured by an ophthalmologist using the light reflex test (Hirschberg), the cover-uncover test, and a detailed eye exam with dilating drops.
If the deviation is caused by an eye prescription (such as hyperopia), simply wearing glasses can completely correct the strabismus. To prevent lazy eye, the healthy eye is patched to force the deviating eye to work. If there is a muscle imbalance, Eye Muscle Surgery is performed to weaken strong muscles and strengthen weak ones, permanently aligning the eyes.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
