Strabismus (misaligned eyes) means any misalignment of the ocular axes. It affects about 3-4% of the population. Most of the strabismus cases in children are the result of an abnormal neuromuscular control of the extraocular muscles. Less often, strabismus is caused by a muscular problem.
In children, strabismus is an important cause of amblyopia. The child’s brain, in fact, tends to ignore the image from the strabismic eye to avoid diplopia, causing a reduction in visual acuity. On the other hand, a low vision eye can be struck by strabismus.
In adults, the main cause of strabismus is stroke. Other common causes are traumas, neurological problems, and hyperthyroidism. Trauma can cause strabismus if a brain injury to the nerves or direct eye damage occurs.
Why Treat Strabismus
The aim of treating strabismus is to improve the eye alignment that allows better cooperation between the two eyes (binocular vision). Treatment involves the prescription of glasses when needed, orthotic exercises that are useful for some types of strabismus, and the possible use of prisms while waiting for surgery of the extraocular muscles.
Transcription of the video.
Strabismus (misaligned eyes) is a disease affecting adults and children. Now, with minimal-invasive techniques, it is possible to correct it surgically using local anesthesia. This is definitely an advantage in being able to return home after one or two hours of surgery. Of course, the eye will be a bit red for two or three weeks, but then it will come back out as it is and definitely straighter.
Surgically, you can correct or improve most strabismus cases. Fortunately, there are cases that are corrected only with the use of simple glasses, and in these cases, they are not to be surgically touched; others can be improved or modified a bit with simple orthotic exercises.
Problems Associated With Strabismus (misaligned eyes)
Problems associated with strabismus, such as amblyopia, are usually resolved before surgery on the muscles.
Esotropia
Pseudo-esotropia
Exotropia
Paralytic Strabismus
Brown Syndrome
Duane Syndrome
Congenital Fibrosis Of Extraocular Muscles (CFEOM)
Moebius Syndrome
Monolateral Deficiency Of Elevation
Nystagmus
Amblyopia
Anomalous Head Position of Ocular Origin
Congenital Stenosis of Lacrimal Duct
Thyroid Diseases
Strabismus of Venus
The origin of Strabismus of Venus expression derives from that small and only defect that made Venus – goddess of beauty, love, and fertility – famous as in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (1483-1486). It is not part of the classical clinical terminology, but is a term of popular use for describing a mild form of divergent strabismus, not exclusively feminine but also male.
Bibliography
Marco Peduzzi, Third Edition Ophthalmology Manual, Milan, McGraw-Hill, 2004, ISBN 978-88-386-2389-9.
Paolo Nucci. Strabismus: Clinic and Therapy. Manual for Ophthalmologists and Orthotists. Publisher Fabiano