Strabismus occurs when the two eyes are not aligned and the ability to use both eyes together is lacking. This may stem from the eye muscles itself (due to significant Hyperopia) or even from the vision centre in the brain.

It is not uncommon for children with strabismus or “crossed eyes” to have double vision due to the eyes seeing different things. Should this occur, amblyopia becomes an issue, leading to the turned eye becoming lazy and switching off, known as ‘suppression’.

The more prolonged the eyes are suppressed, the harder it will be to ‘re-wire’ to brain, causing potential permanent visual loss in the turned eye.

Many infants are born with eye turns or develop early on in their young lives. Congenital eye turns are often Esotropia, resulting due to muscle imbalance. An Esotropia is noted when the eyes turn in, and an Exotropia is when one eye wanders out. Sometimes this can be alternating. In these cases, binocularity (using two eyes for 3D vision) is a very difficult task. If your child has an “Acquired eye turn” from 2-6 years old, you should have a comprehensive eye examination as soon as you can. Untreated strabismus can affect every day activities including hand-eye coordination, sports abilities, reading and writing. Children may often present much clumsier, especially if it is causing them to have diplopia or double vision.

Children with strabismus may have one or both eyes turning. They can be turning inwards, outwards, upwards, downward or in combination. The eye turn may be intermittent or constant and the parents may only notice it only when their child is tired, getting close to their devices or when caught unaware and daydreaming.

common eye conditions we treat