Strabismus in children is an eye disorder in which the eyes are not aligned properly, meaning that each eye is looking in a different direction. In most cases, one eye is dominant and the other eye deviates. There are different types of strabismus in children. Here, we will learn all about how to treat strabismus in children and what are the best exercises to treat strabismus in children.
What are the causes of strabismus in children?
Children can be born with strabismus or develop it in childhood. It is often the result of a problem with the muscles that move the eye and can be hereditary. Strabismus in children is diagnosed when they are between 1 and 4 years old.
What are the types of strabismus in children?
Strabismus can be classified according to the direction of eye deviation:
What are the signs and symptoms of strabismus in children?
Most children with strabismus do not experience any eye problems or any changes in their vision. Parents usually notice that the eyes are not aligned properly, and each eye is looking in a different direction.
Symptoms of strabismus in children:
How to treat strabismus in children:
The earlier strabismus is treated in children, the better, as the main connections between the child's eyes and brain are formed at around 8 years of age. Treatment may include:
Eyeglasses in the treatment of strabismus in children:
If a child has a refractive error such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, glasses can be prescribed to correct vision in the eye, which helps in the treatment of strabismus in children.
Eye patch in the treatment of strabismus in children
If eyeglasses can help treat strabismus in children, the doctor may use an eye patch to be worn on the healthy eye for a few hours a day. This patch helps the weaker eye work over time, making the muscles and vision in the weaker eye stronger.
Getting children to wear an eye patch can be a challenge, but most children get used to the patch and it becomes part of their daily routine.
If eyeglasses and an eye patch cannot treat strabismus in children, surgery of the eye muscles may be needed. Surgery involves relaxing or tightening the muscles that cause the eye to deviate.
Surgical treatment of strabismus in children
Surgery is often recommended to restore eye alignment as much as possible. The main goal of surgery is to improve the appearance of the eyes.
Strabismus surgery is a very common eye operation and involves tightening or moving one or more of the eye muscles. Because the muscles are attached near the front of the eye, the surgeon can easily access them.
Exercises for the treatment of strabismus in children
The pencil exercise is one of the best and easiest exercises for the treatment of strabismus in children. You can start by holding a pencil and placing it in front of your face, and then start slowly bringing the pencil closer to your nose, while continuing to look at it. When you see two pencils and double vision, return the pencil back again. You can repeat this exercise several times a day.
Does strabismus in children return after treatment?
The amount of correction to the eye muscles needed to achieve perfect alignment of the eye in every direction cannot be fully predicted. Sometimes a little strabismus returns over time, and it is common for children and adults to need further surgical treatment or Botox injection treatment over time.
Now, learn more about the treatment of strabismus in children, and request a consultation with Dr. Osama Hakim, Consultant of Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery, Strabismus, Eyelids and Tear Duct Surgeries at Al-Maghrabi Eye Hospital in Dubai and Founder and Director of Tibbi Eye Center in Egypt.
