WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is strabismus? Strabismus is a condition that causes your child's eyes to look in different directions. It is also called squint, crossed eye, or walleye. Your child's eye muscles do not work properly to control his eye movement. This condition may only occur sometimes, or it may be present all the time. What causes strabismus? - Weak or paralyzed eye muscles
- Head or eye injury that damages eye function
- Tumors that press on the muscles or nerves around the eyes
- Damage or swelling of the retina in premature babies
What are the signs and symptoms of strabismus? - Your child has an eye that wanders or turns in, out, down, or up.
- Your child says his eyes hurt or are tired after reading or focusing on an object.
- Your child looks at you with one eye closed or his head turned to the side.
- Your child has headaches.
- Your child has blurred vision, double vision, or increased sensitivity to bright lights.
How is strabismus diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will ask about your child's symptoms and examine his eyes. Your child may need any of the following tests: - A vision exam is done to check if strabismus has affected your child's vision. Your child will be asked to look at letters, pictures, and shapes on reading charts at a close and far distance.
- An eye exam will include a light reflex test and a fundoscopic test. A light reflex test compares how each eye reacts to the light. The pen light is flashed in front of his eyes and moved slowly from side to side. A fundoscopic test uses an instrument with a bright light to check for damage to the blood vessels inside your child's eyes.
- A cover test may be done by your child's healthcare provider. Your child looks at an object up close and at a distance with one eye covered. Then your child looks at the object with the other eye covered. The healthcare provider will watch your child's eyes to see how they respond.
- A refraction test measures the prescription your child needs for eyeglasses. Your child will be asked to look at a chart through a device that has lenses of different strengths. Your child will be asked if the word or picture is clear as the healthcare provider changes the lenses.
How is strabismus treated? - An eye patch over your child's stronger eye may be needed. This will help your child's weaker eye to work more and get stronger.
- Eye exercises help improve your child's eye movement and focus. Ask the healthcare provider about the best eye exercises for him.
- Eyeglasses can help your child's eyes work together.
- Surgery may be done to change the length or position of your child's eye muscles. This will help to straighten his eyes.
When should I seek immediate care? - Your child loses vision in his eye.
- Your child has a severe headache, dizziness, or vomiting.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider? - Your child has a fever.
- Your child has blurred or double vision.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
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