Children’s strabismus

Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other, meaning that each eye looks in a different direction.

In most cases, one eye is dominant and the other deviates, but there is also the possibility of alternation, in which both eyes can be seen to wander to the right or left.

There are different types of strabismus. Each has its particular clinical characteristics, onset age, prognosis and treatment.

Some strabismus cases may appear before the age of six months (congenital strabismus) and others years later, even in adulthood.

Strabismus can be caused by various factors. In ophthalmological terms, the first thing to consider is its possible association with a refractive error, e.g. myopia.

Since ocular alignment is controlled by the brain, any disorder affecting the central nervous system can lead to strabismus: a severe fever, an illness or even stress suffered by children as a result of changing schools or parental separation, etc.

Strabismus cannot be prevented but can be detected early. The child’s parents are usually the first ones to notice the ocular deviation.

Strabismus often occurs intermittently, becoming more pronounced when the child is tired or in a weakened state, e.g. with a fever.

To correct strabismus properly, it is very important to detect the disorder before the age of seven.

Although the deviation can be corrected after this age, vision in the affected eye cannot be restored.