Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward.
The eye turn may be constant, or it may come and go. The turned eye may straighten at times, and the straight eye may turn.
Strabismus is a common condition among children. About 4% of all children in the United States have strabismus. It can also occur later in life.
Strabismus occurs equally in males and females. It may run in families; however, many people with strabismus have no relatives with the problem.
Causes
The exact cause of strabismus is not fully understood. To line up and focus both eyes on a single target, all of the muscles in each eye must be balanced and working together. In order for the eyes to move together, the muscles in both eyes must be coordinated. The brain controls these eye muscles.
Strabismus is especially common among children with disorders that may affect the brain, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and prematurity. A cataract or eye injury that affects vision can also cause strabismus. Many children with strabismus have a family history of the condition.
Signs
The main sign of strabismus is an eye that is not straight. Sometimes, children will squint one eye in bright sunlight or tilt their head to use their eyes together.
Your ophthalmologist at Fort Worth Eye Associates can provide you with more information specific to your case. The above information is not intended to replace a personal exam, medical diagnosis, and/or complete treatment description by an ophthalmologist.