Crossed eyes (strabismus)
Crossed eyes, or strabismus, occurs when one or both of
your eyes turns in, out, up or down. Poor eye muscle control usually
causes crossed eyes. This misalignment often first appears before age
21 months but may develop as late as age six. This is one reason why
the American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive
optometric examination before six months and again at age three. There is a common misconception that a child will outgrow
crossed eyes. This is not true. In fact, the condition may get worse
without treatment. Treatment
for crossed eyes may include single vision or bifocal eyeglasses,
prisms, vision therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Vision therapy
helps align your eyes and solves the underlying cause of crossed-eyes
by teaching your two eyes to work together. Surgery alone may
straighten your eyes, but unless your eye muscle control is improved,
your eyes may not remain straight.
If detected and treated early, crossed eyes can often be corrected with excellent results.
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