Learn how to spot the signs of Strabismus Disorders. Explore the common symptoms like double vision and understand the neurological and muscular causes of eye turns.
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Symptoms and Causes
Recognizing the symptoms of Strabismus Disorders is essential for timely intervention. The most obvious sign is an eye that does not look straight, but there are many internal symptoms that the patient may experience. Adults often report double vision (diplopia), which can be very disorienting and may cause nausea or dizziness. Children, on the other hand, may not complain of double vision because their brains are very adaptable and will simply “shut off” the image from the misaligned eye. However, you might notice a child squinting, tilting their head, or closing one eye when trying to look at something in the distance or under bright sunlight.
The physical signs of Strabismus Disorders can be constant or intermittent.
In some cases, the turn is so slight that it is only noticeable by a trained professional during a clinical exam. In other cases, the eye turn only appears when the person is stressed, ill, or particularly tired at the end of the day.
Because Strabismus Disorders prevent the eyes from working together, depth perception is significantly compromised. Human beings need two eyes to judge distances accurately. Patients with this condition may struggle with:
Observing these functional struggles is often a clue for parents and caregivers that a child’s eyes are not providing the brain with the correct spatial information.
When the eyes are not aligned, the brain and the eye muscles must work much harder to try and pull the images together. This constant struggle leads to significant eye strain and frequent headaches, particularly after reading or performing close up work. Patients often describe a sensation of “heaviness” in their eyes or a feeling that their eyes are “pulling.” If you find that you are constantly rubbing your eyes or that your vision becomes blurred after short periods of focus, it may be due to a hidden muscle imbalance.
The eyes are controlled by three cranial nerves that originate in the brain. Anything that affects these nerves can cause Strabismus Disorders. Neurological causes include:
In these cases, the muscles themselves may be healthy, but they are receiving the wrong signals or no signals at all from the brain. At Liv Hospital, we coordinate with neurology experts when a neurological cause is suspected to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis.
Sometimes the problem lies within the six muscles that move each eye. The muscles may be physically too short, too long, or attached to the eyeball in the wrong location.
Structural issues can also be caused by physical trauma to the eye socket, which can trap a muscle and prevent the eye from moving freely. Additionally, some people are born with “fibrosis” of the muscles, where the muscle tissue is replaced by stiff, non elastic material. Identifying whether the issue is muscular or neurological is a key part of the clinical evaluation.
Uncorrected refractive errors, particularly high farsightedness (hyperopia), are a major cause of Strabismus Disorders. When a farsighted child tries to focus to see clearly, they over stimulate the “convergence” reflex, which causes the eyes to pull inward. This is known as Accommodative Esotropia. In many of these cases, the eye turn can be completely straightened simply by wearing the correct prescription glasses. This highlights the importance of a professional eye exam to see if the turn is related to how the eye focuses light.
Poor vision in one eye can actually cause it to drift. This is known as sensory strabismus. If one eye has a cataract, a retinal problem, or another condition that prevents it from seeing well, the brain loses the “anchor” that keeps that eye aligned with the other. Over time, the eye with poor vision will begin to wander outward or inward. Treating the underlying cause of the vision loss is often the first step in addressing this type of muscle imbalance.
There is a strong genetic component to Strabismus Disorders. If a parent or sibling has an eye turn, the risk for other family members increases significantly. It is very common to see patterns of eye misalignment throughout a family tree. While we cannot change our genetics, knowing the family history allows parents to be vigilant and seek a pediatric evaluation early, often before the child even reaches school age. Early clinical intervention is the best way to bypass the hereditary cycle of vision problems.
Understanding the causes and symptoms is the first step toward a successful treatment journey. Untreated eye turns can lead to permanent vision loss in children and chronic disability in adults. By recognizing the signs—whether it is a visible turn, a head tilt, or double vision—and seeking care at a specialized facility like Liv Hospital, you are ensuring the best possible outcome. Our team is dedicated to uncovering the specific cause of your symptoms and creating a roadmap for recovery that restores both the appearance and the function of your eyes.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
They are likely trying to align their eyes or eliminate double vision by moving their head into a position where the eyes work better together.
Yes, in adults a sudden eye turn is often related to a health change like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a neurological issue and should be checked immediately.
Yes, children with an outward drifting eye (exotropia) often close one eye in bright sunlight to prevent double vision or light sensitivity.
While not a learning disability itself, uncorrected vision and muscle issues can make it very difficult for a child to read and focus, which impacts school performance.
Yes, because maintaining alignment requires effort from the brain and muscles, being tired or stressed can make a hidden or intermittent turn much more obvious.
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