Strabismus (Misaligned Eyes)
Understanding Strabismus
This section explains what strabismus is, why it occurs, and how it differs between children and adults.
When the eyes turn inward the condition is called esotropia, and when they turn outward it is called exotropia. One eye may appear to be misaligned most of the time, or the misalignment may alternate between eyes.
Strabismus appears to originate in the brain circuits that coordinate eye movements. Although one eye often seems to “cause” the problem, both eyes are involved because their movements are tightly linked by the brain.
Most cases begin in childhood, where the cause is often congenital or unknown. In adults the condition can arise from diabetes, thyroid disease, head trauma, stroke, or tumors.
Early Detection Is Key
Timely diagnosis is essential because untreated strabismus can interfere with normal visual development and quality of life.
Misaligned eyes may lead the brain to ignore the image from one eye, causing amblyopia and loss of depth perception. Proper alignment is required for the brain to combine both images into a single three-dimensional view.
Children who lose depth perception may struggle with tasks that require precise hand-eye coordination, and adults may develop disabling double vision. The appearance of misaligned eyes can also affect self-esteem and social interactions.
A child’s visual system develops rapidly until about age eight. Aligning the eyes before this window closes greatly improves the chance of restoring depth perception and preventing permanent vision loss.
A pediatric ophthalmologist can perform a thorough eye examination to identify strabismus and recommend an appropriate treatment plan tailored to the child’s needs.
Treatment of Strabismus
The best treatment depends on the type and severity of the misalignment, as well as the patient’s age and overall eye health.
Some forms of strabismus improve with eyeglasses alone, sometimes with bifocal lenses or prisms. Patching the stronger eye may be prescribed to treat amblyopia.
If glasses and patching do not achieve alignment, surgery on the eye muscles may be recommended. Early surgical correction can help children develop normal binocular vision.
Moderate to large deviations in adults often require surgery. Contrary to past beliefs, adult surgery offers medical benefits such as eliminating double vision, improving depth perception, and expanding the visual field.
Successful treatment can improve self-confidence, communication, reading, driving, and overall quality of life.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Our team understands how strabismus affects vision and daily activities. We are committed to guiding every patient through diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care so that clear, comfortable sight is within reach.
Dr. Bianchi is a breath of fresh air. Wonderful experience for our 1.5-year-old. He is kind, attentive, patient, and caring. Thank you for restoring my faith in healthcare, Dr. Bianchi!
Cara G.
Nothing but good things about Dr. Bianchi. He is amazing with my 2-year-old daughter. Even making difficult decisions, Dr. Bianchi is reassuring and gives all information. Recommend him.
Jonathan Kazar
Dr. Bianchi and staff are kind and wonderful with kids. My daughter struggled with vision, and he explained everything with resources. Highly recommend for Pediatric Ophthalmology care.
Lori Barr
Dr. Bianchi went above and beyond for my 6-month-old. He was caring, calming, and knowledgeable! If your child needs an eye exam, Dr. Bianchi is worth the wait. We’ll never go elsewhere!
Jennifer Jarotski
Dr. is very sweet! Has a nice way of talking to my 9 year old daughter. Gives great information on what the visit entails and gives helpful advice at the end. Dr is great at putting my daughter at ease. Will continue to see her and recommend her to everyone!
Jennifer M.