Strabismus, a condition where the eyes are misaligned and look in different directions, can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) in children if not treated properly. Amblyopia is a condition that causes a decrease in vision. What are the symptoms of strabismus in children and how to treat it effectively? In this article, we will explore them.
What is Strabismus?
Strabismus, or squint or lazy eyes, occurs when both eyes are not properly aligned. Normally, both eyes should point in the same direction, but in strabismus, one eye may point to a different direction from the other eye. One eye can point to the side, upwards, or in another direction while the other remains focused.
When one eye is misaligned, each eye sends different signals to the brain. In young children, the brain often ignores the image from the misaligned eye, relying instead on the image from the better-aligned eye. Over time, this can lead to amblyopia or lazy eye.
Signs of Strabismus
Strabismus can often be detected in infants or toddlers. By 3 to 4 months of age, babies usually start to focus both eyes on nearby objects. However, children with strabismus will display misalignment when looking at an object.
Common signs of strabismus in children include:
- Blurred vision
- Misaligned eyes
- Both eyes do not move in the same direction
- Closing one eye to focus seeing an object
- Uncoordinated eye movements
Cause of Strabismus
Strabismus results from a disruption in the movement of the eye muscles. It can be caused by birth defects or genetic factors, with many children with strabismus having a family history of the condition.
Some of the risk factors that can cause strabismus include:
- Uncorrected refractive disorders (such as blurred vision)
- Poor vision in one eye
- Premature birth
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Hydrocephalus
- Brain tumors
- Head injuries
- Stroke
Treatments for Strabismus
The treatment for strabismus depends on the child’s specific condition. Several options may be recommended by doctors to treat strabismus according to the symptoms experienced and the child's condition, including:
-
The use of glasses or contact lenses: If strabismus is related to an uncorrected refractive disorder, the doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to correct the alignment.
- The use of prisma lenses: Special glasses that bend light as it enters the eye to correct double vision.
- Orthopetic: Special treatments designed to improve the coordination of the eye muscles.
- Medications: Eye drops, ointments, or botox injections may be used to relax overactive eye muscles.
- Eye patches: Placing a patch over the stronger eye encourages the weaker eye to improve its muscle coordination.
- Eye surgery: Surgery might be needed to adjust the size or position of the eye muscles to achieve proper alignment.
It is important to seek treatment early. If you notice your child displaying symptoms of strabismus, consult a doctor promptly for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. You can also use the consultation feature on the Ai Care application, available on the App Store and Play Store.
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- dr Hanifa Rahma
Boyd, K. (2023). Strabismus in Children. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/strabismus-in-children
Cleveland Clinic. Strabismus (Eye Misalignment). Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/strabismus-eye-misalignment
Kids Health. Strabismus. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/strabismus.html
Mayo Clinic. (2019). Strabismus: The importance of timely, specialized care. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/pediatrics/news/strabismus-the-importance-of-timely-specialized-care/mqc-20452790
