Strabismus in infants

It is normal for infants to experience strabismus in the first few months after birth. Strabismus in infants occurs due to incomplete coordination between the eyes and usually disappears after 4 months of age. However, strabismus in infants older than 4 months may indicate strabismus, as a result of the muscles not coordinating eye movements correctly. If it is detected early, it can be easily corrected. In this article, we explain everything related to the causes, symptoms, and treatment of strabismus in infants, when it appears, and when strabismus ends in infants.

Strabismus in infants

There are several reasons for the appearance of strabismus in newborns. One of them is that sometimes infants are born with skin tags in the inner corners of their eyes, which causes strabismus in infants. However, these tags disappear with growth.

Another reason for the appearance of strabismus in the eyes of a newborn is the lack of development at this stage; therefore, it is common for the baby's eyes to move independently of each other.

The squint look at this stage may cause concern for new parents, however, at 3 or 4 months of age, the infant's eyes become straight and able to focus without deviating outward or inward.

Strabismus in children

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by the failure of the eye muscles to work together.

If the child is older than 4 months and the symptoms of strabismus are still present, you may suspect that the child has strabismus.

Early detection of strabismus and conducting several tests on infants and young children to determine the treatment required, is vital to preserve the child's vision in the future.

If a child has strabismus and does not receive the appropriate treatment, the brain may begin to ignore the messages from one eye, and over time, the neglected eye becomes lazy.

Causes of Strabismus in Infants

Strabismus is caused by eye muscles that do not work in harmony. Some children are at a higher risk of developing strabismus, including:

• Those with a family history of strabismus, especially if a parent or sibling has strabismus.
• Those with nearsightedness.
• Those with neurological problems.
• Those who are born prematurely (premature).
• Those with conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and brain injuries.

Symptoms of Strabismus in Infants

The deviation of the eye in infants varies, and strabismus in infants can be one of the following types:

• Internal strabismus: One or both eyes turn inward toward the nose.
• External strabismus: One or both eyes turn outward toward the ear.
• Vertical strabismus: In which the eye turns up or down.
• Pseudostrabismus: Because many children have a broad nose bridge and some skin tags in the inner corners of their eyes, strabismus may appear in infants.

Pseudostrabismus usually disappears and the eyes become straight by the age of 2 to 3 years.

Some symptoms may appear and indicate strabismus in infants, including:

• Excessive squinting, especially in bright light.
• Tilting or turning the head.

Treatment for Strabismus in Infants

An eye examination to check the health and development of vision and eye alignment should be part of every child's doctor visit starting at the age of 6 months.

If strabismus is diagnosed in infants, it is necessary to undergo treatment from several treatments depending on the severity of the strabismus.

Treatment for strabismus in infants includes the following:

1. A lens to correct vision in the weaker eye.
2. An eye patch over the healthy eye, which forces the child to use the weaker eye for vision. The goal is to strengthen the weak eye muscles and correct vision.
3. Eye drops. The drops work like an eye patch, where they blur the vision in the child's healthy eye; so the child has to use the weak eye for vision.
4. Surgery is one of the ways to treat strabismus in infants. It is performed under general anesthesia, where the eye muscles are tightened or relaxed to align the eyes. Recovery takes only a few days.

Children with permanent strabismus are more likely to undergo surgery than those with intermittent strabismus.

Strabismus in infants and children cannot be prevented, but early detection and treatment are the solution.

Do not feel stressed if you look at your child and notice the appearance of strabismus, especially in the first four months of their life. However, if the strabismus persists after 4 months, it is necessary to undergo medical examination and the child may need some treatments such as glasses or an eye patch.

Now, learn more about the treatment of strabismus in infants, and request a consultation with Dr. Osama Hakim, Consultant of Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery, Strabismus, Eyelid and Tear Duct Surgeries at Moroccan Eye Hospital in Dubai, and Founder and Director of Medical Eye Center in Egypt.