Giving your children the best foundation for life starts with caring for their health, and their vision deserves special attention during those formative years. One of the most important steps you can take is to arrange an early eye exam.
Typically, babies cross their eyes when their eye muscles fail to work together properly. While it’s a treatable condition, it won’t resolve without visiting your eye care professional as early diagnosis is essential.
What Is Strabismus?
Strabismus is a condition where the eyes don’t align properly, causing one eye to look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can impact the way the eyes work together, and if left untreated, it can affect your child’s vision and development.
At first glance, strabismus might seem easy to notice, but it isn’t always straightforward. The misalignment doesn’t have to be constant—it can occur intermittently, especially when your baby is focusing on an object or feeling tired. It can also affect one or both eyes, and the signs may vary in severity. This is why a proactive approach is so important, as even subtle symptoms can indicate a potential issue that requires professional care.
Potential Causes
Strabismus arises from issues involving the six muscles that control eye movement. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it may stem from:
- Problems with the eye muscles themselves
- Nerve dysfunction affecting these muscles
- Brain-related coordination issues
Risk factors for strabismus include:
- Genetics: If you experienced strabismus as a child, your baby has a higher likelihood of developing it.
- Farsightedness: Significant farsightedness can strain eye muscles, potentially leading to misalignment.
- Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, strokes, or head injuries, may disrupt muscle control.
Symptoms of Strabismus
While the most obvious sign of strabismus is a misaligned eye, identifying it isn’t always straightforward. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, infants should have their first eye exam between 6 and 9 months of age.
Additionally, babies—and even older children—may not recognize that their vision is different, as they have no baseline for comparison. However, there are some clues that can help you spot the condition. For instance, your child may have one or both eyes that appear turned or notice that their eyes don’t move together as they should. They might tilt their head to focus, squint frequently, or blink excessively. Depth perception challenges can also signal an issue, and older children may complain about seeing double.
If you notice any of these signs or suspect something is off with your child’s vision, scheduling an eye exam can help with early detection and treatment.
Diagnosing Strabismus
Some babies may appear to have misaligned eyes due to extra skin around the eyes—a condition known as false strabismus. This is typically nothing to worry about, as the appearance often resolves naturally as your baby’s face grows. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between false and true strabismus at a glance, which is why a professional evaluation is essential. Optometrists use advanced testing to accurately assess your child’s vision.
During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will evaluate your child’s vision, eye alignment, and eye movement. They may use a variety of tools and techniques to determine how well the eyes work together. For example, tests like the cover test or prism test involve covering one eye at a time or using specialized lenses to assess alignment and the brain’s ability to combine images from both eyes.
What Happens If Strabismus Isn’t Treated?
If left untreated, strabismus can lead to amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye. This occurs when the brain begins ignoring input from the misaligned eye, weakening its connection over time. Without treatment, amblyopia can result in permanent vision loss in the affected eye.
The good news is that early treatment can help correct amblyopia. With the right interventions, your child’s brain can adapt, restoring balance and improving their vision.
How Is Strabismus Treated?
Treatment for strabismus varies depending on the severity of the condition. Optometrists may recommend vision therapy, which uses tailored exercises and activities to strengthen the connection between the eyes and brain. Vision therapy helps improve eye coordination through non-invasive methods and can be customized to suit your child’s needs.
In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, particularly if therapy doesn’t yield the desired results. The goal is to help your child’s eyes work together effectively, supporting their learning, play, and overall development.
Personalized Vision Care for Your Child
Early detection is the first step in preserving your child’s vision. Crossed eyes are highly treatable, and with the help of today’s diagnostic tools, optometrists can provide you with the clarity and peace of mind you need.
If you suspect your baby has strabismus or another vision issue, book an eye exam with our friendly team at Willoughby. Together, we’ll provide your child the support they need for a bright future. Contact us today to book an appointment.
