Strabismus

What is Strabismus?

It is a condition in which both eyes do not look in the same direction and cannot move in parallel. While one eye looks straight, the other eye may shift inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards. This condition refers to a condition in which the eyes cannot work harmoniously and is called strabismus. Strabismus is usually congenital but can also develop later.

What Causes Strabismus?

Strabismus can have many causes. Genetic factors, children with a family history of strabismus, not using glasses even though they need glasses, eyelid abnormalities, or disorders in the muscles that control the eye can cause strabismus. In addition, some neurological or congenital problems (conditions such as Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy) can cause strabismus.

What are the Symptoms of Strabismus?

A person with strabismus may tilt their head to use both eyes together or show sensitivity to light. Symptoms such as closing one eye during reading, double vision, headache may also be a sign of strabismus. One eye slippage (the most typical finding).

Causes and Types of Strabismus

In addition to hereditary factors, conditions such as eyelid abnormalities or abnormalities of the eye muscles can also cause strabismus. There are also different types of strabismus, such as inward shift (Esotropia), outward shift (Exotropia), upward shift (Hypertropia) and downward shift (Hypotropia).

What is False Strabismus?

Inward or outward rotation of the eye (cyclorotation ) Due to depressed nasal root, facial asymmetry, eyelid anomalies, it can be observed as if there is a slip even though there is no real strabismus. This condition is called false strabismus. False strabismus must be diagnosed by doctors. Light-based tests show that the cornea’s light reflections are symmetrical, while closure tests can determine that there is no movement of the eyes. In addition, factors such as unilateral exophthalmos, high myopia and facial asymmetry may also contribute to false strabismus.

Strabismus Treatment

The aim of strabismus treatment, although it varies according to the characteristics of the individual, is generally to increase visual acuity, to correct the shift in the eye, to correct abnormal head position, if any, to correct double vision, to provide free eye movements and to eliminate cosmetic complaints.

• Firstly, refractive (visual impairment) defect should be corrected.
• If there is lazy eye, it should be treated.
• Eye exercises can be applied.
• Treatment can be performed with surgical methods.

Strabismus Surgery

The aim of strabismus surgery is to restore the parallelism of the eyes that are not parallel to each other. Explanation of the surgical procedure;

• The eye muscles are compressed or relaxed.
• Local or general anaesthesia is used
• Self-absorbable sewing threads are used.
• There is usually no serious scarring.
• Eyes remain red for an average of 3-4 weeks.

What is Lazy Eye?

It is a permanent loss of vision that develops as a result of vision being affected for any reason during infancy and early childhood. Lazy eye can be caused by various causes, for example, conditions such as strabismus or congenital cataracts can lead to lazy eye.

Causes and Symptoms of Lazy Eye

Lazy eye is usually caused by factors such as strabismus or eyelid abnormalities. Symptoms may include blurred vision, double vision or slippage in the eye.

• Strabismus: As the eye with slippage is not used, vision gradually decreases.
• Need for glasses: Eyeglass treatment should be started at an early stage.
• Conditions that prevent vision such as congenital cataract, droopy eyelid.

Treatment of Lazy Eye

• Correction of refractive error may be sufficient alone in the treatment of lazy eye.
• Closure treatment is the most effective method. The earlier the closure is started in the treatment of lazy eye, the more successful the results are. It is based on the principle of closing the healthy eye and activating the eye with low vision. Closure is an effective treatment method until the age of 9.

Strabismus Surgery Prices

Strabismus treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. The treatment plan that our specialist ophthalmologist will create depending on the strabismus as a result of a detailed examination may vary from person to person.

The above information is for informational purposes. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with our ophthalmologists.