Strabismus is a type of eye problem that causes the eyes to be in a different position compared to each other. This means that when one eye looks straight ahead, the other eye is turned inward, outward, up or down. Sometimes the rotated eye returns to its original and straight position, and the straight eye moves out of its position. This heterogeneity may be obvious and permanent or it may appear only occasionally.
Strabismus is a common problem among children and about 4% of children experience it, but it may also occur at an older age. The prevalence of this condition is the same in boys and girls, and sometimes we see a familial infection; Of course, some sufferers do not mention the history of such a problem in their family.
Attached to the outer wall of each eye are six muscles that are responsible for controlling eye movements. Two muscles move the eye to the right or left, and the other four muscles are responsible for moving the eye up and down and diagonal movements of the eye. In order to focus both eyes on a certain sign, it is necessary for all the eye muscles to be coordinated with each other and with the partner muscles of the opposite eye. Any cause that disrupts this coordination can lead to strabismus.
In this case, the controlling role of the brain on the eye muscles is also very important. Therefore, children with brain problems such as cerebral palsy, cerebral retardation, hydrocephalus and brain tumors often suffer from strabismus.
Also, any factor that leads to reduced vision, such as refractive error, cataracts, eye injuries, etc., can be a factor in the occurrence of strabismus.
signs strabismus
The main symptom of strabismus is an eye that is out of place. Sometimes a child with strabismus closes one eye in the sunlight and sometimes tries to use both eyes by tilting his head.
In some cases, strabismus will be seen as severe eye fatigue and headache (during eye activities) and sometimes symptoms of lack of a proper depth vision.
Adults who suffer from strabismus also often complain of double vision.
treatment strabismus
The goal of strabismus treatment is to preserve vision, straighten the eyes, and restore binocular vision. Depending on the cause of strabismus, treatment may include prescription of glasses, removal of cataracts) or correction of other underlying causes of deviation or changing the position of unbalanced eye muscles. After a complete examination, the ophthalmologist will choose the appropriate optical, medical or surgical treatment. In most cases, better eye closure will also be necessary to enhance the vision of the amblyopic eye.
Strabismus surgery
It should be noted that the eyeball is never dislodged during any type of surgery. Strabismus surgery is actually making a small incision in the tissue covering the eye, which allows the ophthalmologist to access the underlying muscles of this tissue. Which muscles are operated depends on the direction of eye rotation. Sometimes it is necessary to operate both eyes.
For strabismus surgery in children, complete anesthesia is necessary, but adult surgery is also possible with local anesthesia.
Recovery after strabismus surgery is quick and the person often returns to normal daily activities within a few days. After surgery, it is sometimes necessary to use glasses or prisms. Sometimes, the correction may be more or less than the desired amount, in which case it will be necessary to perform the operation again.
In most cases, it is recommended to perform strabismus correction surgery as soon as possible because the infant will find the possibility of normal vision and binocular vision as soon as his eyes are straightened. On the other hand, eye shadow can have a negative effect on a child's self-confidence.
Like any other surgery, eye muscle surgery is associated with complications. These side effects may include infection, bleeding, and other rare complications that may lead to vision loss. However, strabismus surgery is usually a safe and effective treatment, and at the same time, it never replaces glasses or treating lazy eye.