Strabismus
Strabismus –
Introduction
Strabismus is a condition in which a person’s eyes are not properly aligned. Instead of both eyes focusing on the same object, one eye may look straight while the other turns in, out, up, or down. It is commonly known as “crossed eyes” or “squint”. Early detection and treatment are very important to prevent vision problems.
Definition
Strabismus is a disorder of eye alignment where the eyes do not look in the same direction at the same time.
Types of Strabismus
Esotropia – One or both eyes turn inward. Exotropia – One or both eyes turn outward. Hypertropia – One eye turns upward. Hypotropia – One eye turns downward. Intermittent Strabismus – Eye misalignment occurs only sometimes. Constant Strabismus – Misalignment is always present.
Causes of Strabismus
Muscle Problems – Weakness or imbalance in eye muscles. Nerve Problems – Nerve damage affecting eye movement. Refractive Errors – Severe uncorrected farsightedness or nearsightedness. Genetic Factors – Family history of strabismus. Medical Conditions – Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, brain injury. Childhood Development Issues – Failure of both eyes to coordinate during growth.
Signs and Symptoms
Eyes pointing in different directions. One eye may wander (in, out, up, or down). Squinting or tilting the head to see clearly. Double vision (diplopia). Poor depth perception. Headaches or eye strain. Lazy eye (amblyopia) may develop if untreated.
Diagnosis
Doctors use different tests to confirm strabismus:
Eye Examination – Checking alignment and movement. Cover Test – Covering one eye and observing the other. Corneal Light Reflex Test – Checking reflection of light on cornea. Visual Acuity Test – Testing clarity of vision. Retinal Examination – To check eye health.
Treatment
Treatment depends on cause, type, and severity:
Glasses or Contact Lenses – Correct refractive errors. Eye Patching – Covering the stronger eye to improve weaker eye (for amblyopia). Eye Exercises – To strengthen coordination. Medications – Sometimes eye drops or injections are used. Surgery – On eye muscles to correct alignment. Botox Injections – In some cases to relax tight eye muscles.
Complications if Untreated
Permanent amblyopia (lazy eye). Poor binocular vision. Loss of depth perception. Psychosocial issues (low self-confidence, cosmetic concern). Risk of permanent vision loss in severe cases.
Nursing Care and Management
Encourage early eye check-ups for children. Support the child and family emotionally. Educate about treatment importance (patching, glasses, or surgery). Ensure proper follow-up care after surgery. Provide eye safety education to prevent strain.
Conclusion
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes that can affect vision and appearance. It may be caused by muscle imbalance, nerve issues, or medical conditions. Early diagnosis and proper treatment (like glasses, exercises, or surgery) can prevent lazy eye and vision loss. Nurses and caregivers play a key role in eye care, education, and rehabilitation support.