Eyes on the Prize: Conquering Strabismus for Crystal-Clear Vision

8 January 2024

At Pasteur Eye Hospital, we prioritise the health of your eyes and the clarity of your vision. One common condition that can impact the alignment of the eyes and consequently affect vision is strabismus. Strabismus, often referred to as crossed or misaligned eyes, is a condition that requires attention and specialised care.

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a visual disorder characterised by the misalignment of the eyes, meaning they do not point in the same direction. While one eye may look straight ahead, the other may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can occur constantly or intermittently, affecting one or both eyes

Causes:

Strabismus can result from various factors, and its origins may differ from person to person.
Some common causes include:
1. Muscular Imbalance: When the muscles surrounding the eyes do not work together properly, it can lead to strabismus. This imbalance may be present from birth or develop later in life.
2. Nerve-related Issues: Problems with the nerves that control eye muscles can contribute to strabismus. Conditions such as cranial nerve palsies or neurological disorders may be associated with eye misalignment.
3. Refractive Errors: Uncorrected refractive errors, such as farsightedness, near-sightedness, or astigmatism, can contribute to the development of strabismus.
4. Genetic Factors: Strabismus can run in families, suggesting a genetic component to the condition.

Effects on Vision:

Beyond the cosmetic aspect of misaligned eyes, strabismus can have significant effects on vision and overall eye health. Some potential consequences include:

Reduced Depth Perception: Proper eye alignment is crucial for binocular vision, which provides depth perception. Strabismus can hinder this, impacting the ability to perceive the depth of objects in the environment.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): When one eye is consistently misaligned, the brain may start favouring input from the properly aligned eye. This can lead to amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, where the neglected eye fails to develop normal vision.

Treatment Options:

Eye Glasses or Contact Lenses:
- Correcting refractive errors is often the first step in managing strabismus. Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can help address issues such as farsightedness, near-sightedness, or astigmatism, promoting improved eye alignment.
Prism Lenses:
- Prism lenses work by altering how light enters the eyes, helping to align images on the retina properly. These specialised lenses can be incorporated into eyeglasses to reduce eye strain and improve overall eye coordination.
Eye Exercises:
- Vision therapy, including targeted eye exercises, is a non-invasive approach to improving eye coordination and strengthening the eye muscles. Our expert therapists guide patients through exercises designed to enhance binocular vision and promote eye alignment.
Medications:
- In certain cases, medications may be prescribed to address underlying issues contributing to strabismus. These medications aim to relax or strengthen the eye muscles, helping to achieve better eye alignment.
Patching:
- Patching is a common treatment for amblyopia, a condition associated with strabismus. By covering the stronger eye with a patch, the brain is encouraged to rely on the weaker eye, stimulating visual development and reducing the impact of strabismus.
Eye Muscle Surgery:
- Eye muscle surgery may be recommended in more complex cases or when other treatments prove insufficient. This surgical intervention involves adjusting the length or position of eye muscles to achieve proper alignment. Our skilled surgeons at Pasteur Eye Hospital use advanced techniques to minimise discomfort and enhance recovery.

Surgery:

Eye muscle surgery, a sophisticated intervention for cases where standard treatments fall short, exemplifies the pinnacle of precision and innovation in strabismus care.

When the complexities of misalignment persist or resist conventional therapies, this surgical procedure becomes a strategic solution. At Pasteur Eye Hospital, our seasoned surgeons embark on a meticulous journey to redefine the eye muscles’ lengths and positions, aiming for optimal alignment.

Our advanced techniques go beyond merely correcting misalignment; they prioritise patient comfort by minimising discomfort during the procedure. Our commitment extends seamlessly into the post-operative phase, where enhanced recovery protocols ensure the swift healing of the eyes and the comprehensive well-being of our patients.

With a patient-centric approach that tailors each surgery to the individual’s unique needs, our skilled surgical team at Pasteur Eye Hospital combines expertise and innovation to deliver outcomes that transcend the cosmetic, providing a foundation for sustained visual health and clarity.

At Pasteur Eye Hospital, we understand strabismus’s impact on your vision and overall well-being. Our dedicated ophthalmologists are committed to providing personalised care and effective treatments to ensure that your eyes not only look good but function optimally. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of strabismus, schedule a consultation with us to explore the best course of action for achieving clear and healthy vision. Remember, early detection and intervention are key to successful outcomes.