Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition in which the two eyes are not properly aligned and do not look at the same point at the same time. It can appear in childhood or adulthood and can be constant or occur only in certain situations.

The main sign of strabismus is one eye turning relative to the other. It can also cause double vision, difficulty coordinating both eyes, head tilting or loss of binocular vision. In children it may be associated with amblyopia.

No. Although strabismus is common in childhood, it can also appear in adults. When it arises in adulthood it may be related to various causes and cause double vision, so it requires an ophthalmological assessment to determine its origin and treatment.

Treatment for strabismus depends on its cause and may include glasses, prisms, exercises or vision therapy in certain cases, botulinum toxin injections or eye muscle surgery. The strabismus specialist will determine the most appropriate option after studying each case.

There are different types of strabismus depending on the direction of the turn and how it appears. The eyes may turn inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards, and the turn may be constant or intermittent.

Strabismus can have various causes, such as problems with the control of eye movements, refractive errors, neurological problems, eye diseases or factors related to visual development. In some cases it is not possible to identify a single cause.

Yes. Although some types of strabismus are present from childhood, an eye turn can appear suddenly in children or adults. When the turn appears abruptly, especially if accompanied by double vision or other symptoms, it is important to have an ophthalmological assessment.

A visible turn in one eye, double vision, difficulty fixing your gaze or needing to tilt or turn your head to see may be signs of strabismus. An eye examination makes it possible to confirm whether there is a problem with eye alignment.

Yes. Double vision or diplopia is especially common when strabismus appears in adults. In children, the brain can adapt to the turn by suppressing the image from one eye, so they may not perceive double vision.

Double vision that appears when looking in certain directions may be related to a problem with the alignment or movement of the eyes. If it is new or persists, an ophthalmological assessment is advisable.

In some cases, difficulty coordinating and keeping the eyes aligned can be associated with eye strain or discomfort such as headaches. However, these symptoms can also have other causes and require an individual assessment.

Some eye turns can become more noticeable when a person is tired, ill or has difficulty maintaining fixation. If the eye turns repeatedly, even if only in certain situations, it is advisable to see a specialist.

Diagnosis is made through an eye examination that assesses the alignment and movement of the eyes, the vision of each eye and the ability to use both eyes together. Depending on the case, additional tests may be performed.

The specialist may perform tests to measure the eye turn, study eye movements, assess binocular vision and determine the prescription. The examination is adapted to the age and ability of each patient to cooperate.

Yes. Some forms of strabismus are intermittent or appear only in certain circumstances, so they may not be evident during a one-off observation. A specialist examination makes it possible to detect turns that may go unnoticed.

In certain patients, especially when there is an associated refractive error, glasses can improve or even correct the eye turn. If the strabismus persists, other treatments may be needed.

Prisms are optical elements that change the path of light before it reaches the eye and can help compensate for certain turns and reduce double vision. Their usefulness depends on the type and characteristics of the strabismus.

Eye exercises or vision therapy can be useful for certain eye coordination problems, but they are not suitable for all types of strabismus. The specialist must determine whether they can benefit each patient.

Botulinum toxin can be used in certain cases to temporarily modify the action of an eye muscle and improve eye alignment. Whether it is indicated depends on the type of strabismus and the patient’s characteristics.

Strabismus in adults may be due to childhood strabismus that persists or recurs, but it can also appear due to eye muscle problems, neurological problems, trauma, systemic diseases or other causes. When it appears recently, its origin should be investigated.

Yes. Depending on the cause and characteristics of the strabismus, treatment may include glasses, prisms, botulinum toxin or surgery. The aim may be to improve eye alignment, reduce double vision and, where possible, restore or improve binocular function.

Sudden double vision requires medical assessment, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as an eye turn, severe headache, neurological changes, vision loss or difficulty moving an eye.

Not all types of strabismus can be prevented, as factors related to visual development, anatomy or certain diseases may be involved. However, eye examinations make it possible to detect it early and treat associated problems.

It can affect vision in different ways. In children it can interfere with the development of binocular vision and lead to amblyopia, while in adults it can cause double vision and difficulty coordinating both eyes.

Strabismus can have an aesthetic and emotional impact, especially when the turn is visible. In addition to assessing visual function, treatment can be considered to improve eye alignment and the patient’s well-being.

An urgent assessment is advisable when an eye turn appears suddenly, especially if accompanied by double vision, vision loss, eye pain, severe headache, neurological changes or difficulty moving the eyes.