Strabismus
Strabismus (Latin: strabismus) is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned parallel — one eye looks straight ahead while the other deviates inward, outward, upward, or downward. It can be constant or intermittent, affecting the same eye consistently or 'jumping' between the eyes.
Strabismus affects 1.3–5.7% of children. Intermittent deviation of the eyes in healthy newborns is common and is not in itself a cause for concern: correct coordination of the movements of both eyes appears around the second month of life, and full motor fusion should be developed in all infants from the fourth month. Any strabismus found after that age requires a full ophthalmological examination.
Most cases of strabismus in children are developmental in origin or result from an accompanying refractive error. Untreated strabismus can lead to the development of amblyopia, as the brain begins to ignore the image from the deviating eye.
Diagnosis and management — from orthoptic exercises to corrective eyewear, and possibly surgical intervention — are handled by a team of ophthalmologists and orthoptists after a comprehensive examination.
How does it work in ocu•vio?
If you suspect your child has strabismus, the first step is always a visit to an ophthalmologist — ocu•vio does not diagnose or correct eye alignment. Once your child is under the care of a specialist, ocu•vio can be a pleasant addition to the home vision routine — always after consulting with the supervising professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every eye deviation in an infant strabismus?
Not always — intermittent deviations in healthy newborns are common, and full motor fusion should be developed in all infants from the fourth month of life. Any strabismus found after that age requires a full ophthalmological examination.
Does strabismus resolve on its own?
Rarely, and one should not rely on this — the earlier appropriate management is initiated, the better the prognosis for developing binocular vision.
Is strabismus the same as amblyopia?
No — strabismus concerns eye alignment, while amblyopia concerns the quality of vision in one eye; strabismus is one of the possible causes of amblyopia, but not the only one.
Related concepts
Source: Polish Ophthalmological Society, Section of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Wytyczne postępowania w zezie [Guidelines on the management of strabismus], 2021.
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