Strabismus: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

Strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes, is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly. One eye may look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and may affect one or both eyes.

Strabismus occurs when there is an imbalance in the eye muscles, faulty nerve signals to the eye, or issues with the brain’s ability to coordinate eye movements. It can develop in infancy or childhood, but adults can also experience it due to neurological conditions, trauma, or eye muscle disorders.

The primary symptom of strabismus is the visible misalignment of the eyes, but it can also cause double vision, difficulty with depth perception, eye strain, and headaches. In young children, the brain may suppress the image from the misaligned eye to avoid double vision, leading to amblyopia, or "lazy eye," where the weaker eye loses visual function over time.

This makes early diagnosis and treatment essential to prevent long-term vision problems. A comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist can determine the severity of strabismus and the best course of treatment.

Treatment for strabismus varies depending on the severity and underlying cause. In mild cases, corrective glasses or contact lenses may help. Eye patching and vision therapy can also be used to strengthen the weaker eye. If the condition is due to muscle imbalance, eye muscle surgery may be required to adjust the muscles and align the eyes properly.

For adults, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections can temporarily weaken certain eye muscles to improve alignment. With early intervention and appropriate treatment, strabismus can often be corrected, improving both vision and overall eye coordination.