Eye clinic / patient information
Strabismus
Strabismus develops as a result of neurological or anatomical problems that interfere with the function of the external eye muscles. The eyes are no longer in normal alignment with each other and point in different directions.
Depending on the direction in which the eye turns, strabismus can be classified as:
- esotropia, in which the eye turns towards the nose;
- exotropia, in which the eye turns away from the nose and towards the side;
- hypotropia, in which the eye turns downwards;
- hypertropia, in which the eye turns upwards.
Strabismus may be constant or intermittent. It may affect only one eye or alternate between the two eyes. It is relatively common in children. It occurs more often in children whose relatives have had some form of strabismus, but it may also develop in children with no family history of the condition. To prevent the double vision that can occur with strabismus, the brain may suppress visual signals from the misaligned eye. This can lead to amblyopia, or reduced vision, in that eye.
Non-surgical treatment may include optical correction with glasses or contact lenses, occlusion by covering the better-seeing eye, and orthoptic exercises.
The type of surgery depends on the direction and angle of the eye deviation. In children, prevention and treatment of amblyopia must always be considered alongside surgical treatment.
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