Strabismus

Misaligned or “crossed” eyes

Good vision requires an effective working partnership between both eyes. To coordinate the visual signals being sent to the brain, the eyes must move together to focus on the same spot. Sometimes, only one eye can move normally, and something (such as a problem with one or more of the muscles that control eye movement) prevents the other eye from looking toward the same object at the same time. Instead, that eye may point up, down, or in. When the problem eye points in, the eyes may have a “crossed” appearance. This lack of coordinated eye movement is called strabismus. Since a still-developing brain tends to pay attention to only to images transmitted by the “straight” eye, a child with strabismus will have poor depth perception.

Strabismus can also occur in adults. Unlike a child with this condition, an adult with strabismus often experiences double vision. This is because a fully-developed adult brain does not ignore the images from the weaker eye.

It’s not uncommon for a newborn’s eyes to “cross,” but most babies outgrow the problem. Some do not, and these children will require treatment. Strabismus sometimes responds to therapies that involve patching, exercises, eyedrops, and/or special glasses, but surgery may be required.

Treating Strabismus

The doctor may recommend one or more of these treatments:

Prescription eyeglasses
Prism lenses
Covering or patching the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker one
Surgery to correct unbalanced eye muscles

Surgery To Correct Strabismus

Sometimes it is necessary to surgically manipulate and reposition the muscles around the eye. More than one surgery may be required to help children maintain normal visual development. Treating adults with strabismus can improve depth perception (the way the two eyes work together) and peripheral vision.

General anesthesia is required when the patient is a child. Children usually bounce back within only a few days, but may still need glasses after surgery.

Is this surgery SAFE & EFFECTIVE?

Yes, surgery to correct strabismus is generally safe and effective. However, there are risks associated with surgery of any type, including eye muscle surgery.

If Dr. Shah recommends surgery, he will meet with you to explain these risks and possible complications, and to answer all of your questions.

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