Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not align with each other. In other words, each eye is seeing in a separate direction. Under ordinary situations, the six muscles that regulate eye movement cooperate and direct both eyes in the same direction. Strabismus patients have difficulty controlling their eye movements and cannot maintain proper ocular alignment.
Strabismus is categorized according to the direction of the twisted or misaligned eye:
1. Esotropia: In this type of strabismus, one eye turns inward towards the nose while the other remains in its normal position. The most prevalent type of strabismus in children is esotropia.
2. Exotropia: In exotropia, one eye turns outward away from the nose, while the other eye remains in its normal position. Exotropia is more common in adults than in children.
3. Hypertropia: occurs when one eye turns upward while the other remains in its normal position.
4. Hypotropia: In hypotropia, one eye turns downward while the other remains in its normal position.
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The symptoms of strabismus can appear at any age, from infancy to adulthood. In some cases, strabismus may be present at birth or develop within the first few months of life. However, in other cases, it may develop later in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Some common signs and symptoms of strabismus may include
It can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are:
1. Muscle imbalance: The six muscles that control eye movement may not be functioning together, causing one eye to turn in a different direction.
2. Genetics: Strabismus often runs in families, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to the condition.
3. Refractive errors: If one eye is significantly more nearsighted, farsighted, or has a different level of astigmatism, it can cause strabismus.
4. Neurological disorders: Certain neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, brain tumors, or strokes can cause strabismus.
5. Amblyopia: Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia occurs when one eye has weaker vision than the other. The brain may ignore the weaker eye, causing it to drift out of alignment with the stronger eye.
6. Eye injuries or trauma: Injuries to the eye muscles or nerves that control eye movement can cause strabismus.
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Anybody baby over four months who appears to have strabismus should have an eye examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist, with special time spent studying how the eyes focus and move.
The examination may cover the following items:
The treatment for strabismus depends on the severity of the condition and age of the patient. Here are some common approaches:
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Strabismus is a condition where a person's eyes are misaligned and look in different directions from each other. It can cause a range of symptoms, including double vision, poor depth perception, and difficulties with eye contact. Strabismus can result from several factors, including genetics, nerve injury, and eye muscle abnormalities.
Strabismus can be treated using various methods, including eyeglasses, eye exercises, and surgery. Early detection and treatment are critical for avoiding long-term consequences like vision loss and enhancing the overall quality of life of individuals affected.
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