Strabismus: what it is, symptoms and treatment (with exercises)

Strabismus is an ophthalmological change in which there is a deviation of one of the eyes, which can interfere with the person’s visual capacity, and this deviation can happen all the time or only at certain moments.

The diagnosis of strabismus, also known as crooked eye, is made by an ophthalmologist through eye exams, in which the doctor observes the direction of the eyes and how light is reflected. See how the ophthalmological exam is carried out.

After diagnosis, the best treatment may be recommended, which may involve performing eye exercises, wearing glasses with corrective lenses and/or surgery.

Child with convergent strabismus (esotropia)

Symptoms of strabismus

The main symptom of strabismus is the deviation of the eye, which may be constant or only occur at certain moments, and may be mild or severe, depending on the degree of deviation. In most cases, the deviation is the only symptom, however, when it is severe, there may be eye fatigue, in which there is greater difficulty focusing on objects and pain in the eyes.

Furthermore, in some cases it is possible for a person to lose vision in one of their eyes, a situation known as amblyopia, since the brain suppresses the activity of that eye in an attempt to reduce the chance of double vision, for example.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of strabismus can be made in children through ophthalmological examinations, in which the doctor observes the direction of the eyes and how light is reflected from the same point in each eye. Thus, from the moment the diagnosis and degree of strabismus are concluded, the most appropriate treatment can be indicated, which aims to promote the strengthening of the eye muscles in order to promote their alignment and prevent the reduction or total loss of vision. vision.

Types of strabismus

According to the type of deviation, strabismus can be classified into three types:

• Divergent strabismus or exotropia, when the eye deviates outwards, that is, towards the side of the face;
• Convergent strabismus or esotropia, when the eye is deviated towards the nose;
• Vertical strabismus, when the eye deviates upwards (hypertropia) or downwards (hypotropia).

It is important that the type of strabismus is identified by the ophthalmologist so that the most appropriate treatment for the situation can be recommended.

Main causes

Strabismus can be caused by defects in 3 different locations:

• In the muscles that move the eyes;
• In the nerves that transmit information from the brain to the muscles to move;
• In the portion of the brain that controls eye movement.

Therefore, strabismus can appear in children, when the problem is related to the lack of development of one of these areas, which frequently happens in cases of Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, for example, or in adults, due to problems such as Accident Cerebral Vascular, head trauma, or even a blow to the eye.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for strabismus can vary according to the type and degree of the deviation and aims to strengthen the eye muscles and prevent total or partial loss of vision.

1. Exercises for strabismus

In most cases, the first line of treatment for strabismus is eye exercises, which help coordinate the eye muscles and reduce the deviation:

1. Place a straight finger approximately 30 cm from the nose;
2. Place a finger of the other hand between the nose and the outstretched finger;
3. Look at the finger that is closest and focus on that finger until you see the finger that is further away in duplicate;
4. Move the closest finger slowly between the nose and the furthest finger, always trying to focus on the closest finger to observe the duplicated finger that is furthest away;

This exercise should be repeated for 2 to 3 minutes every day, but the ophthalmologist may also recommend other exercises to complete the treatment at home.

2. Use of prescription glasses or contact lenses

Associated with performing exercises, the doctor may also recommend the use of prescription glasses or contact lenses in an attempt to correct visual changes, if the person has them.

In the case of children, especially when there is a decrease in visual capacity, it may be recommended that the eye without deviation be covered with an eye patch, as this makes it possible to encourage the eye with deviation to better focus on objects, helping to reduce the deviation, and the use of eye drops may also be indicated. However, it is important that the child is regularly evaluated by a doctor to check the effectiveness of the treatment.

3. Surgery

Surgery for strabismus is indicated when the degree of deviation is very large, there is a great loss of visual capacity and treatment with exercises and/or prescription glasses are not sufficient. Therefore, the doctor recommended surgery to balance the forces of the eyes and promote their alignment, with this procedure being carried out in the operating room under general anesthesia. See more about strabismus surgery.