Both children and adults can be affected with eye muscle disorders. Early detection in a child can prevent vision loss. Approximately 4% of all children in the United States have strabismus. It occurs equally in males and females.

STRABISMUS
Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are misaligned. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other turns in or out, up or down. The misalignment may be present all of the time or it can come and go. And, the misaligned eye can even change. The exact reason for the misalignment of the eyes leading to strabismus is not fully understood.

Strabismus is a term that describes many eye muscle disorders.

Strabismus in Children
With normal vision, both eyes aim at the same spot. The brain then puts the two pictures into a single, three-dimensional image. This blending or fusing of the two pictures gives us depth perception. There are several types of strabismus.

Esotropia is an eye misalignment where the eye turns inward towards the nose. It can affect one or both eyes and can alternate between the two eyes.

Exotropia is a misalignment in which the eye turns outward, away from the nose.

Hypertropia is an upward gaze or appearance of the eye while the other eye stays straight and fixates normally.

Hypotropia is an downward gaze or appearance of the eye while the other eye stays straight and fixates normally.

When one eye turns, two different pictures are sent to the brain. In a child, the brain learns to ignore the picture from the misaligned eye, and sees only the image from the straight one. This causes poor vision in the misaligned eye. It takes away the ability to have and develop depth perception.

How is the diagnosis made?
Strabismus can be diagnosed during an eye exam. It is recommended that all children have their vision checked by their pediatrician, family doctor or ophthalmologist at or before their fourth birthday.

What are the treatment options?
Eyeglasses in some cases can be prescribed that may strengthen the weaker eye. Covering or patching the stronger eye is often used.

Surgery may be required to realign or balance the eye muscle