About this topic
The medical name for crossed eyes is strabismus. With this problem, the eyes do not line up the same way. The muscles of the eyes are not working together. The eyes do not look in the same direction or focus on the same object. One eye may be looking at one thing. At the same time, the other eye is seeing something totally different. Your eye may be turned all the time or only when you are under stress or sick. ‚
Each eye sends a different message to the brain. The brain may ignore the message sent from the weaker eye. If this condition is not treated, you may have eyesight loss in the weaker eye. ‚
What are the causes?
The cause of this problem is not always known. The nerves and muscles that move the eyes may be weak or damaged. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
This condition may be passed down through families. A child may be born with eyes that do not line up. Babies who are born early are more likely to have this problem. Illnesses that affect the brain may cause this condition. These are things like cerebral palsy, brain injury, or stroke. Children do not outgrow this condition. Adults are more likely to get strabismus from an injury or illness that causes loss of eyesight. ‚
What are the main signs?
- Eyes looked crossed
- One or both eyes turn in, out, up, or down
- Eyesight problems like seeing double or loss of eyesight
- Loss of depth perception
- Squinting
- Tilting the head to get the eyes to work together
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam of your eyes. The doctor may order: ‚
- Eye tests to see how your eyes line up
- Neurological tests
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Early treatment is important. For children, results may be best if treated by age 6, and often by age 2. Your doctor will work to make the eyes line up. Your doctor may have you: ‚
- Wear eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Wear a patch over your stronger eye. This makes you use the weak eye and makes it stronger.
- Do eye muscle exercises
- Think about eye surgery. This may be needed on one or both eyes to line them up.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Relax the eye muscles
- Blur the eyesight in the stronger eye. This makes the weak eye work harder.
What problems could happen?
- Eyes may not line up correctly
- Problems with depth perception
- Loss of eyesight in one eye
- Problems reading, driving, or playing sports
- Children may have learning problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You cannot prevent this problem from happening. ‚
Helpful tips
Have your childs eyesight checked by age 3. Do this before age 3 if there is history of eye problems in your family. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Ophthalmology ¢ ˆ ’ eyeSmart ‚
http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/strabismus.cfm ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/squint/pages/introduction2.aspx ‚
Optometrists Network ‚
http://www.strabismus.org/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚