Strabismus

Strabismus is a physical defect. One or both of the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. One eye may look ahead while the other eye points up, down, in, or out. Strabismus is more common in children than in adults.It is  more commonly known as cross-eyed or wall-eyed.

CAUSES

1. Weak eye muscles
2. Graves’ disease
3. Traumatic brain injury
4. Stroke
5. Cerebral palsy
6. Guillain-Barre syndrome
7. Diabetes
8. Damage to the retina in children who are born premature
9. Hemangioma near the eye during infancy
10. Injuries to the eye
11. Tumor in the brain or eye
12. Vision loss from any eye disease or injury

Symptoms And Signs

1. The eyes do not move together and may appear crossed at times.
2. The other eye will appear turned out, up, or down from wherever the first eye is focused.
3. Depth perception loss
4. Double vision
5. Vision loss

Investigations

1. Corneal light reflex
2. Cover/uncover test
3. Retinal exam
4. Standard ophthalmic exam
5. Visual acuity
6. Neurological examination

Treatment

1. Glasses
2. For amblyopia a patch is placed over the better eye. This forces the weaker eye to work harder.
3. Eye muscle surgery
4. Eye muscle exercises (help keep the eyes straight)
5. Surgery(to straighten the eyes.)