Strabismus

A Strabismus is defined as a condition is which the eyes deviate or turn while looking at the object regard or turn while looking at the object of regard or concern. It means, towards which the eye aims to look at. The medical terms for strabismus are also tropia.

It is also know by various other names such as eye turns, crossed eyes, wall eyes, wandering eyes, deviating eyes, etc. Strabismus is not at all the same condition as Amblyopia that is the lazy eye.

Types of strabismus

When the eye turn occurs all of the eye turn occurs all the time, it is called constant strabismus. But when the eye turn occurs only some of the time then it is called intermitted strabismus. With intermittent strabismus, the eye turn might be observed only occasionally, such as during stressful situation or when the person is ill.

The causes of strabismus are usually unknown. But, it has been noted that the Strabismus is more common in families with a history of the disorder. Several neurological conditions with strabismus such as Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and brain tumours.

The majority of the children, who suffer from strabismus, generally have no other associated neurological abnormalities. A cataract, eye tumour or other eye disorder associated with reduced vision may also be present with strabismus.

Signs nad symptoms of strabismus

Strabismus is often recognized by a normal person as a crooked eye. Generally, most of the cases of strabismus are first noted by a parent or the child’s pediatrician. Normally all children should have their vision examined between 3 and 4 years of the age.

It there is a family history of strabismus, then children should have an eye exam by an ophthalmologist at an earlier age, mainly by twelve to eighteen months of age. In some cases, amblyopia that is reduced vision may occur when there is minimal misalignment of the eyes.

Recession of an eye muscle requires disinsertion of one of the six muscles attached to the eye and re-attachment of the muscle further back on the eye, therapy causing weakening.

Resection of an eye muscle requires disinsertion of the muscle from the eye, excising a portion of the distal and of the muscle and subsequent reattachment to the eye, therapy resulting in stronger muscles. The amount that a muscle is recessed or resected depends upon the preoperative degree of misalignment of the eyes. The goal of surgery is to realign the eyes as close to normal as possible.