Around

4%

of children suffer from strabismus

3

types of treatment exist: patches, glasses and surgery

What is children’s strabismus?

Strabismus is a visual defect in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other, meaning that each eye looks in a different direction.

In most cases, one eye is dominant and the other deviates, but there is also the possibility of alternation, in which both eyes can be seen to wander to the right or left.

There are different types of strabismus. Each has its particular clinical characteristics, onset age, prognosis and treatment.

Some strabismus cases may appear before the age of six months (congenital strabismus) and others years later, even in adulthood.

What causes it?

Strabismus can be caused by various factors. In ophthalmological terms, the first thing to consider is its possible association with a refractive error, e.g. myopia.

Since ocular alignment is controlled by the brain, any disorder affecting the central nervous system can lead to strabismus: a severe fever, an illness or even stress suffered by children as a result of changing schools or parental separation, etc.

How can it be prevented?

Strabismus cannot be prevented but can be detected early. The child’s parents are usually the first ones to notice the ocular deviation.

Strabismus often occurs intermittently, becoming more pronounced when the child is tired or in a weakened state, e.g. with a fever.

To correct strabismus properly, it is very important to detect the disorder before the age of seven.

Although the deviation can be corrected after this age, vision in the affected eye cannot be restored.

Symptoms

The most serious consequence of strabismus is amblyopia or lazy eye.

This occurs when the child’s brain suppresses vision in one eye to prevent double vision. The eye that is used less gradually becomes “lazy”.

Another consequence of strabismus is the loss of binocular vision, which is the ability to perceive depth, calculate distances and see in 3D.

As well as the physiological aspects of strabismus, consideration has to be given to the effect of the disorder on the self-image and self-esteem of children suffering from the symptoms.

Associated treatments

The doctor should perform a comprehensive eye examination to assess the degree of deviation, ocular motility, refraction and fundus of the eye.

If a refractive error exists, it must be treated by optical correction (glasses or contact lenses). This is usually enough to cure strabismus. If amblyopia develops, it is necessary to restore vision in that eye, which is usually achieved by covering the healthy eye with a patch.

Eye surgery is only necessary if eye deviation persists after the optical defects and amblyopia have been corrected.

FAQs

IMO Institute of Ocular Microsurgery

Josep María Lladó, 3
08035 Barcelona
Phone: (+34) 934 000 700
E-mail: international@imo.es
See map on Google Maps

By car

GPS navigator coordinates:
41º 24’ 38” N – 02º 07’ 29” E

Exit 7 of the Ronda de Dalt (mountain side). The clinic has a car park with more than 200 parking spaces.

By bus

Autobus H2: Rotonda de Bellesguard, parada 1540

Autobus 196: Josep Maria Lladó-Bellesguard, parada 3191

Autobuses H2, 123, 196: Ronda de Dalt – Bellesguard, parada 0071

IMO Madrid

C/ Valle de Pinares Llanos, 3
28035 Madrid
Phone: (+34) 910 783 783
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

Metro Lacoma (líne 7)
Autobuses:

  • Lines 49 & 64, stop “Senda del Infante”
  • Line N21, stop “Metro Lacoma”

Timetables

Patient care:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

IMO Andorra

Av. de les Nacions Unides, 17
AD700 Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra
Phone: (+376) 688 55 44
See map in Google Maps

IMO Manresa

C/ Carrasco i Formiguera, 33 (Baixos)
08242 – Manresa
Tel: (+34) 938 749 160
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

FGC. Line R5 & R50 direction Manresa. Station/Stop: Baixador de Manresa

Timetables

Monday to Friday, 08:30 A.M – 13:30 PM / 15:00 PM – 20:00 PM

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