Strabismus refers to a condition in which one eye is directed to an object, while the other eye is misaligned (1). It is colloquially known as “crossed-eye,” “wandering eye,” or “squint.” Crossed eyes in infants is pretty common and generally resolves after three to four months. However, in some cases, it might be a cause for concern. So how does one identify strabismus in babies, and what are its causes? In this post, we’ve compiled some pieces of information on the different types of strabismus, their symptoms, causes, and ways to treat the condition. Read on to know how you can help your baby.
Signs And Symptoms Of Strabismus In Infants
It is normal for a newborn’s eyes to wander during the first few months of life since the little one is learning to focus. However, by the age of three to four months, the baby should be able to have a straight alignment of eyes and focus on objects. Infants, who continue to have problems and develop strabismus, will display the following symptoms (2). • Eyes moving inward • Eyes moving outward • Crossed eyes • One eye closed • Turning or tilting the head often to look at objects Double vision is a common complaint with strabismus, but non-verbal babies cannot communicate it. Always seek a doctor’s opinion if you think that your baby has strabismus.
Is Strabismus Common In Infants?
Strabismus may occur at any age but is most common in infancy and childhood. According to the Harvard Medical School, strabismus affects up to 5% of children — both boys and girls equally (3).
What Causes Strabismus In Babies?
The basic cause of strabismus is the problem with the eye muscles. It might happen due to one or more of the following reasons (2) (4).
Problematic eye muscles: There are six muscles attached to each eye to control its movement. All the 12 muscles in both the eyes should work in sync to focus on one object at the same time. However, sometimes the muscles do not coordinate well, thus causing one eye to move in an abnormal direction.
Damaged or defective nerves: Three cranial nerves are involved in supplying and controlling the eye muscles. An injury or defect in any of these nerves might lead to strabismus.
Neurological problems: A problem with the control centers in the brain that direct the nerves and the eye muscles can also lead to strabismus.
Various factors might put an infant at a higher probability of developing strabismus.
Risk factors for developing strabismus
Heredity can cause strabismus. It is seen more commonly in babies whose direct family members have strabismus (2).
Certain medical conditions such as hydrocephalus, Down Syndrome, or cerebral palsy (2) may increase the risk.
An injury to the eye or surrounding structures.
Babies born preterm may be at a higher risk of developing strabismus (5).
Prenatal exposure to drugs might cause strabismus in babies (6). For example, in several studies, maternal ingestion of a high dose of aspirin during pregnancy was found to increase the risk of strabismus
Maternal smoking during pregnancy might also cause strabismus in babies (7).
Diagnosis Of Strabismus
If your baby is less than three months old, then the doctor may wait for the baby to cross four months before performing any tests. If the signs of strabismus extend beyond three to four months of age, then the doctor may perform the following tests. The doctor may request other tests if needed. Consult a pediatrician to diagnose strabismus in your child and to plan further management.
Strabismus Treatment In Infants
Strabismus cases that go beyond three to four months of age may require treatment to prevent visual impairment.
The unaffected eye is covered with an eye patch for several hours a day for weeks or months to force the brain to use the deviated eye. It helps stimulate adequate control of the eye muscles and restore normal vision.
In some babies, strabismus might be corrected by wearing spectacles with the right type of lens required to correct the condition.
If other methods do not improve the conditions, then surgical correction may be done. Surgery can be used to adjust the length and position of the affected eye muscles. It may also be required if strabismus is caused by damaged nerves.
Prognosis Of Strabismus
If you suspect your baby to have strabismus, it is good to seek medical attention as early as possible. Untreated strabismus can lead to the following conditions.
Amblyopia: It is often called the “lazy eye.” It causes reduced vision in one or both eyes and reduced contrast sensitivity (9). The prognosis of amblyopia is better when treated early (10).
Impaired stereopsis: Stereopsis means the perception of depth that is created in the brain when both eyes look together at an object and produce a perfect image. Untreated strabismus can impair the perception of depth, thus causing vision problems, which might lead to other developmental problems in babies.
Rarely, persistent strabismus may be the first sign of childhood cataract, glaucoma, or tumors of the eye, optic nerve, or the brain (9).
Types Of Strabismus
Strabismus is classified according to the direction in which the eye turns under the following types (1).
- Inward turning is called esotropia 2. Outward turning is called exotropia 3. Upward turning is called hypertropia 4. Downward turning is called hypotropia. Esotropia is the most common type of strabismus among children (7). There are a few variants of esotropia (3).
1. Infantile esotropia
It is usually associated with a family history of strabismus and can be diagnosed by the age of six months. Although mostly seen in healthy babies, it is prevalent in babies with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy too.
2. Pseudostrabismus or pseudoesotropia
It is not true strabismus. The baby has a wide nasal bridge and extra fold of skin that gives an appearance of their eyes being crossed. The false appearance usually disappears as the baby grows, and the facial structure develops.
3. Accommodative esotropia
Often diagnosed at the age of two to three years, it is usually more common among children who have far-sightedness (medically known as hypermetropia) and thus cannot clearly see nearby objects. In such cases, the child’s eyes may misalign to focus on closer objects. Strabismus is also classified according to other clinical features (2).
- Continuous or intermittent, depending on the frequency 2. Unilateral, depending on the involvement of the same eye, every time 3. Alternating, when it happens in an alternate eye at a time
