Strabismus shows its first signs in early childhood and may require a series of treatments to correct it. See which ones
Also known as strabismus or squint, strabismus is an imbalance in the function of the eye muscles. This causes the eyes to not be parallel, so while one eye is looking straight ahead, the other is averted. The condition can cause a lot of discomfort to sufferers, which leads them to look for ways to correct it.
Causes of strabismus
According to Dr. Giovanna Marchezine, pediatric ophthalmologist at the Hospital de Olhos de Cuiabá (HOC), most cases of strabismus are of unknown cause. “Genetic causes are commonly found in deviations developed in childhood. However, other causes can also lead to loss of parallelism of the eyeball, resulting in strabismus,” says the doctor.
Among these reasons he cites:
- High degree of hyperopia or myopia;
- Prematurity;
- Central nervous system diseases;
- Excessive use of portable electronic devices;
- Blindness;
- Trauma.
First signs of strabismus
Diplopia (perception of two images of a single object) is the main sign present in cases of strabismus not associated with blindness or low vision. Additionally, another easy to identify sign is the display of ocular misalignment.
“Newborns may have small misalignments for a short period of time up to 6 months of age, this occurs due to the immaturity of the visual system. After this age, any ocular deviation is considered pathological and should be investigated by an eye specialist” , highlights the pediatric ophthalmologist.
The doctor also points out that infants and children may have a condition called pseudo-strabismus or false strabismus, which is an optical illusion caused by excess skin in the nasal corner of the eyes (epicanth).
How to correct strabismus
Correction of strabismus depends on its cause. Treatment may require the use of glasses, the application of botulinum toxin, surgery and exercises, explains Dr. Giovanna. “It is worth remembering that the use of a swab (ocular occluder) NO corrects the position of the eyes. It is advisable to treat amblyopia, a vision impairment often associated with strabismus”, warns the doctor.
According to her, surgical interventions on children, when indicated, can take place within a year and a half to two years. The doctor also estimates that 15% of patients will need a new operation.
“This occurs due to several factors such as age operated on, extent of deviation, blindness and other associated systemic diseases,” he says. The good news, according to the specialist, is that after the first reoperation, further surgical interventions are rare.
Giovanna also warns that untreated strabismus in childhood causes amblyopia, which can lead to irreversible blindness. “Therefore, children from 0 to 5 years old with any ocular deviation should be analyzed by a specialist and start treatment,” she concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
