Strabismus (crossed eyes or wall eyes, squint)

AOA definition: Strabismus Is a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. It usually occurs in people who have poor eye muscle control or people with significant refractive errors.

Young children with strabismus will lead to develop amblyopia (lazy eyes). Please refer to amblyopia.  Adults, after acquired head injury or emotional stress, will develop strabismus but not amblyopia.

Strabismus is not eye muscles problem but rather it is sensorimotor dysfunction. The brain can’t coordinate 6 extraocular muscles. It is one of binocular vision problems and it is treatable at all ages with vision therapy. No surgery is necessary in most cases.   

 

Resources:

https://visionhelp.com/strabismus/

Fixing my gaze by Dr.  Susan Barry

Cross-eyed Optimist by Robert Bryan Crockett

Crossed &lazy eyes Myths, misconceptions and truths by Pilar Vergara Gimenez

A parent guide to Strabismus, surgery and vision therapy by Dr. Steven Gallop

All books are available at Amazon.com or OEPF.org