Strabismus is a condition in which one eye looks and turns in a different direction from the other eye. As a result of deterioration in one or more of the six muscle groups that provide eye movements, the problem of incompatibility arises and this causes strabismus. It is a problem usually experienced in childhood. Symptoms include double vision or the inability to look straight in one eye compared to the other. Treatment depends on the type of strabismus, the patient's age and visual status.
The eyes are one of the most important organs in the human body as they provide the visual function. Impairments in eye functions due to different reasons significantly affect the quality of life of people. Among the common eye problems is the angular misalignment between the two eyes, also known as strabismus. The treatment of strabismus, which can seriously affect a person's vision and quality of life, can be done with different methods such as the use of glasses or surgical operations.
What Causes Strabismus?
In cases where there is a disorder, decrease or increase in the strength of the muscle groups that are located together in the outer part of the two eyes and enable the eye to make movements, a harmony problem may occur. Such conditions are among the causes of strabismus.
In addition, the commonly known causes of strabismus can be listed as follows:
- Genetic predisposition (Family history)
- Poor vision in one eye
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- Hydrocephalus
- Down Syndrome
- Injuries and traumas
- Nervous system disorders
- Diabetes
- Brain Tumors
What are the Symptoms of Strabismus?
It is a disorder that usually occurs during childhood. The most basic symptom of this condition is an eye that cannot look straight. When people with strabismus look somewhere, one eye shifts compared to the other and turns in a different direction. Different symptoms such as closing one eye when looking at the sun or tilting the head forward to use both eyes can be seen. In addition to these, the symptoms of strabismus can be listed as follows:
- Inability of the eyes to make simultaneous movements
- Headache and eye pain
- Double vision
- Squinting or closing one eye, especially in brightly lit environments
- Tilting or turning the head to look at a point
- Tearing or blurred vision
What are the Types of Strabismus?
According to the type of strabismus caused by the problem in people; There are three different types as internal shift, adaptive internal shift and external shift. Depending on the cause of development, the disease is generally divided into the following types;
- Developing after birth
- Developing after conditions such as muscle paralysis
- Developing after adulthood
- Secret thriving
Strabismus Diagnosis
Strabismus can be easilydiagnosed after a clinical eye examination. It is highly likely to develop in children if it is due to genetic factors and family medical history. Especially in childhood, early detection of this condition and early initiation of the treatment process increases the rate of recovery. For this reason, it is important to have eye screening in childhood to prevent such problems in the future.
What are Strabismus Treatment Methods?
Strabismus is a condition that needs to be treated and does not improve on its own. For this reason, in cases such as symptoms or suspicion, it should be examined and checked by a specialist without wasting time.
The type of strabismus, the cause of its development, how far the strabismus has progressed or whether there is a different disease in the eye is determined by the specialist.
If deemed necessary, strabismus can be treated with surgery. In cases where strabismus develops in infancy and especially in the first 6 months, it is usually corrected with operations such as surgery upon the doctor's recommendation.
Glasses or supportive drops may be recommended in cases of eye shifts that develop within the first two years of age or due to conditions such as hyperopia. In such cases, it may also be necessary to close one eye to prevent the development of lazy eye.
The methods applied in strabismus treatment provide a higher success rate in case of early diagnosis. Patients who are diagnosed after the examination should be treated correctly and appropriately.