Strabismus – causes, complaints & therapy

Strabismus is understood to mean a misalignment of the eyes, which is also known as strabismus. This deformity is often accompanied by a disability of vision, so that therapy should be initiated relatively quickly after the diagnosis.

The squint, which occurs in about 4 percent of the population, can be divided into different forms. Thus, a distinction can be made between inward squint, outward squint as well as height and rolling squint. If the malposition of the eyes occurs in a permanent state, it is also referred to as a manifest squint.

Causes

Strabismus can be attributed to many different causes. For example, it can come about through a genetic predisposition by a squinting parent. Strabismus can also be caused by organic changes in the eye, which can be caused by eye injuries, lens opacities and rarely occurring eye tumors.Also, eye muscle paralysis in adults in some cases causes sudden squint, which is often associated with double vision. In other cases, the squint is again based on a congenital, unequal refractive error, which can be further aggravated by the lack of actually necessary glasses. A generally weak and limited state of health of the patient can also be the cause of the squint.

This condition can be caused, for example, by infectious diseases or psychosis. In some cases, the ever-increasing demands on everyday vision also lead to visual disturbances such as strabismus. If the strabismus occurs in an infant in the first four months of life, it can also be the so-called baby strabismus, which is usually harmless.

Symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of strabismus:

• Eye twitching

• Photosensitivity

• Headache

• Eyestrain

• Concentration disorders

The squint can be recognized primarily by the characteristic misalignment of the gaze, in which the eyes are directed in different directions. In addition, there may also be a tremor of the eyelids and a crooked head posture in the patient. In many cases, the squint is also accompanied by frequent blinking, winking or squinting of the eyes.

Also, a high sensitivity to light can occur in the patient, which is associated with headaches, burning eyes or double vision and can cause great concentration problems in the person concerned. The visual impairment caused by strabismus is also noticeable by frequent stumbling, reaching past or missing targets.

Diagnosis

In order to treat strabismus as successfully as possible, it is particularly important to diagnose it at an early stage. It can usually be recognized in an ordinary ophthalmologist examination by its typical symptoms and the characteristic eye position. In addition, however, some early detection tests and procedures are also possible to detect a squint in the patient.

Here, for example, the so-called uncover and uncover test should be mentioned, in which one eye is first covered to determine whether the uncovered eye reorients itself. In the reveal test, on the other hand, it becomes clear whether the uncovered eye makes a certain movement. If this is the case, a hidden squint can be assumed.

Due to the different tests, however, not only the strabismus can be detected, but also other possible diseases in the area of the eye can be excluded. Also, the respective form of strabismus can usually also be diagnosed during the examinations, whereby a suitable therapy can be initiated relatively quickly.

treatment and therapy

Since squinting is always associated with a visual impairment or similar problems, it is particularly important after the diagnosis to initiate appropriate therapy as quickly as possible. Wearing ideal glasses on a regular basis can often significantly improve the patient’s squint angle. In most cases, the visually impaired eye is also treated with what is known as occlusion therapy.

During this treatment, the healthy eye is covered with an eye patch to strengthen the activity of the weaker eye. It is also possible to treat the eye by surgery on the eye muscle if you have squint. This is mainly used for particularly large squinting angles.

It is important that the optimal time for the operation is determined individually for the respective patient within a comprehensive diagnosis. In addition to the operation, preliminary and follow-up examinations are carried out by an orthoptist. A subsequent check-up of the eye by the doctor must also be carried out at regular intervals after the operation.

Prevention

As a rule, strabismus cannot be specifically prevented. It is therefore all the more important to recognize possible symptoms of strabismus early and to have them examined by an expert. This is the only way to start appropriate treatment in good time and prevent possible consequences of squinting. Especially in infants and small children, attention should be paid to the possible presence of strabismus. Here, an untreated squint can trigger a visual impairment of the actually healthy eye.