Strabismus

	An eye patch is sometimes used to stimulate a "lazy" eye.

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Types of strabismus include crossed eyes (esotropia), out-turned eyes (exotropia), or vertical misalignment (hyper or hypotropia). Misalignment of the eye may be constant or intermittant. Strabismus should be evaluated and treated.

Symptoms of strabismus

• Double vision
• Eyes that look in different directions
• Head tilt or turn
• Squinting one eye

Causes of strabismus

Strabismus is caused by a lack of coordination between the eyes. In children, the usual cause of strabismus is not known. The condition runs in families and occurs more commonly in children with neurological problems. Some types of strabismus are caused by a muscular imbalance and some are caused by far-sightedness and a need for glasses.

In adults, causes of strabismus include injury to an eye muscle or the nerves controlling those muscles; head trauma; conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure; loss of vision; an eye or brain tumor; Graves' disease, stroke or other muscle and nerve disorders.

Treating strabismus

Children with strabismus must be identified and treated at a young age in order to prevent permanent vision problems.  In children, when the two eyes fail to focus on the same image, the brain may learn to ignore the input from one eye and amblyopia or "lazy eye" develops. If this is allowed to continue, the eye that the brain ignores may become blind. Children do not grow out of strabismus.

Treatment options depend upon the type of strabismus and may include glasses, patching one eye, prism lenses and/or surgery.

Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health