Strabismus

           Strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes or wandering eyes, is a condition where the eyes do not align properly. This extreme misalignment is typically one-sided; it can lead to one eye turning inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards independent of the other eye. It can affect both children and adults, impacting vision and depth perception, but it is especially to test for eye alignment during vision development in youth because its presence in just one eye can be difficult to detect when the individual sees normally with the “good eye”.  In fact, a common compensation so as not to experience double vision is for the developing brain to ignore the signal from the worse eye causing amblyopia or lazy eye.

Treatment Options: Treatment for strabismus varies depending on the severity and individual needs. Options may include:

Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: Prescription lenses may help correct vision and reduce strain.

Vision Therapy: Exercises and activities to improve eye coordination and strengthen eye muscles.

• Prism Lenses: Special lenses that can help align what the eyes see.
   

Surgery: In some cases, surgical correction may be recommended to align the eyes properly.

Signs of strabismus include notable difference between the position of gaze as in a photograph where the reflected light from a camera flash appears different or one eye seems turned in or out compared to the other.  Symptoms include difficulty keeping one’s place while reading, a lack of depth perception used to estimate distances or thread a needle, or a notable difference in the vision in one eye compared to the other while wearing current vision correction.

Call 4Sight iCare Today: If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of strabismus, contact Dr. Mark Burke at 4Sight iCare in Plainfield, IL. Learn more about your treatment options and schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.