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STRABISMUS

What is it?

A misalignment of the eye muscles causing a lack of coordination between both eyes. It may cause one of the eyes to turn in, out, up or down.

Who does it affect?

Many people are born with an eye-muscle problem. Some causes of strabismus are related to over-focusing. Prescription glasses may fix the problem. Often it is inherited in some families. Strabismus also can be acquired through eye trauma or disease

How is it treated?

The treatment depends on the cause and the symptoms of the patient. In patients born with strabismus, the biggest risk is that the turned eye may become “lazy.” The technical term for lazy eye is amblyopia. Surgery or vision therapy may need to be performed to align the eyes and prevent amblyopia. In some cases, the eyes function well, but patients may desire surgery to improve cosmetic appearance.