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What is Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition where one eye is turned in a different direction to the other. Often known as a squint, this misalignment of the eye is caused by an incorrect balance of the eye muscles, which can be attributed to a number of causes.
The most common form of Strabismus involves those with misaligned eyes from childhood. Sufferers may have undergone treatment to realign their eyes in childhood but the eye has subsequently drifted again. Damage to the nerves which stimulate the eye muscles, and inflammation of the eye muscles themselves, can also cause strabismus in adults.
Who is at risk
Approximately one in twenty adults suffer from a misalignment of the eyes. Higher risk groups may include those who:
- Have undergone eye surgery to realign their eyes in childhood
- Suffer from circulatory conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- Have suffered a trauma to the head, which may be caused by a fall or road traffic accident
- On rare occasions strabismus can be caused by direct pressure on the nerves due to a tumour.
How strabismus affects our vision
Adults who suddenly develop strabismus will almost always suffer from double vision. This may occur when they look in one particular direction or it may be present wherever they direct their sight. This can interfere with everyday activities and make it impossible to drive a motor vehicle.
Headaches, eye-strain and muscular problems in the neck are also common causes of discomfort for sufferers.
Strabismus sufferers may also experience a lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem, as the appearance of a squint may interfere with daily eye-to-eye contact, communication skills and affect social interaction.
How strabismus is treated
Once a squint has been detected by the patient themselves, or during an elective eye examination, it can be treated in a variety of ways, depending upon the nature, severity and type of condition identified.
Glasses and prisms of the appropriate strength and applied to existing spectacles, can be prescribed to correct the misalignment. Furthermore, Botox injections administered directly into the appropriate eye muscle under local anaesthetic can straighten eyes.
In many cases your eye surgeon will recommend eye surgery to correct a strabismus by adjusting the strength of the eye muscles in order to straighten the eye. This reconstructive surgery is usually undertaken as a day case procedure under general anaesthetic, although it can also be undergone with just a local anaesthetic.