Strabismus is one of the most common reasons for seeking ophthalmological care, especially in children. It is often perceived as a purely cosmetic problem\u2014\u201ca wandering eye\u201d\u2014but in reality, it is much more than that: when the two eyes do not focus on the same point, the brain receives two different images and has to \u201cchoose.\u201d That choice, if not corrected in time, can have lasting consequences on vision.<\/p>\n
What exactly is strabismus?<\/strong><\/p>\n We speak of strabismus when the visual axes of both eyes are not aligned: while one eye focuses on an object, the other deviates inward, outward, upward, or downward. This deviation may be constant or occur only at certain times\u2014when the person is tired, ill, or focusing on something up close.<\/p>\n It is not exclusively a childhood problem. Although most cases are detected in the early years of life, it also occurs in adults, either as a recurrence of childhood strabismus or as a new condition associated with other causes.<\/p>\n Why It\u2019s Important to Treat It and Not \u201cWait to See If It Corrects Itself\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n In children, the main risk of untreated strabismus is amblyopia\u2014commonly known as \u201clazy eye.\u201d If the brain learns to ignore the image from the deviating eye to avoid double vision, that eye stops developing its visual ability. And the window of opportunity to correct it is limited: the sooner action is taken, the better the results.<\/p>\n In adults, newly developed strabismus can cause very disabling double vision and, at times, signal a problem that warrants further investigation. That is why it should never be dismissed as merely \u201ccosmetic.\u201d<\/p>\n Warning signs: when to make an appointment<\/strong><\/p>\n What treatments are available today<\/strong><\/p>\n Treatment depends on the type of strabismus, the patient\u2019s age and the underlying cause. Several options are available today, which are often combined: optical correction with glasses, visual therapy and eye patches to treat a lazy eye, and, where indicated, surgery to reposition the muscles that move the eye. In adults, strabismus surgery can also significantly improve both vision and quality of life.<\/p>\n The key in all cases is an individualised diagnosis: no two cases of strabismus are the same, and the treatment plan must be based on a comprehensive examination.<\/p>\n At the INOF Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n At the INOF Institute, we assess every case of strabismus \u2014 in both children and adults \u2014 with a detailed examination and design a bespoke treatment plan. If you have noticed that your child\u2019s eye is turning inwards, or if you yourself have started to see double, don\u2019t ignore it: an early assessment makes all the difference.<\/p>\n Book your appointment at www.inof.es or give us a call. We\u2019ll be delighted to help you.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Strabismus is one of the most common reasons for seeking ophthalmological care, especially in children. It is often perceived as a purely cosmetic problem\u2014\u201ca wandering eye\u201d\u2014but in reality, it is much more than that: when the two eyes do not focus on the same point, the brain receives two different images and has to \u201cchoose.\u201d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[152,69],"tags":[],"post_series":[],"class_list":["post-5625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-childhood-strabismus-en","category-strabismus","entry","has-media"],"yoast_head":"\n\n