Strabismus: Causes and Treatment

Strabismus or strabismus is a serious condition in which the visual process is impaired. Subsequently, such an ailment can lead to blindness. This problem cannot be ignored. Therefore, in the article we will consider the causes, methods of treatment and prevention of the disease.

Causes of strabismus

Strabismus is a pathology in which there is a deviation of one or two eyeballs at once with direct gaze. That is, the parallel position of the visual axes is violated and the mowing eye is turned off from the process. Over time, the sore eye completely ceases to participate in the visual process, which can lead to loss of vision.

Strabismus is of two types:

• acquired;
• congenital.

The first group includes the following reasons:

• myopia;
• hyperopia;
• stress or neuroses;
• prolonged eye load in the form of light radiation (welding);
• infections that affect the nervous system ( meningitis, polio and etc.);
• high body temperature accompanied by fever;
• serious head injuries;
• inflammatory processes of the eye muscles, etc.

Causes of congenital strabismus:

• heredity;
• non-observance of a healthy lifestyle by the expectant mother ( smoking, alcohol, drug addiction);
• premature birth;
• low birth weight;
• congenital defects of the eye muscles;
• infantile cerebral palsy, etc.

If your loved ones or you yourself have noticed the first signs of strabismus, then you should contact an ophthalmologist. After conducting a number of studies, the doctor will be able to accurately determine the degree of strabismus and prescribe the correct treatment.

Strabismus can also be caused by difficult labor.

Types of strabismus

According to the stability of manifestation, strabismus is:

• constant;
• temporary.

Persistent strabismus is when the eyes are in the wrong position at any focus. That is, the process of binocular vision does not occur.

In the second case, relapses occur due to a long stay at the computer, reading from the phone or frequent work with a welding machine. The muscles in the eyes tire quickly and a slight squint may occur. After a long rest, the symptoms disappear.

Origin:

• friendly - alternately or simultaneously mow two eyes;
• paralytic - only one eye squints.

Towards:

• converging - to the bridge of the nose;
• divergent - to the temples;
• vertical - one eye below, the other above;
• mixed - there are two types at once.

There is latent strabismus. It can occur when a person is thinking, and at that moment one eye is disconnected from the visual process. Also, ophthalmologists sometimes refer to this type as temporary strabismus.

Strabismus treatment

Treatment is prescribed in relation to the severity of the disease.

This could be:

• wearing special lenses or glasses;
• recovery using computer programs;
• an operable method in severe cases;
• special gymnastics.

Points are prescribed for a mild form of strabismus. The ophthalmologist writes out a prescription that specifies which lenses are needed. The frequency of wearing is also determined.

The use of special computer programs helps the eye muscles learn to work at the same time. Thus, they remember the correct position.

The operable method is used only in cases where all previous techniques have been used and have not led to positive results. But even in this case, the doctor cannot guarantee a 100% positive result, because the operation belongs to a complex category and it is impossible to predict the outcome. According to the patients' reviews, it can be judged that 95% were satisfied. It was also noted that the operation takes place under local anesthesia and that the patients returned home on the same day.

Gymnastics is prescribed for the prevention of temporary strabismus.

With latent strabismus, prevention is recommended:

• correct organization of the load on the eye muscles;
• charging for the eyes;
• restriction of long-term viewing of TV or phone;
• systematic visits to an ophthalmologist;
• timely treatment of inflammatory processes and infections.

Strabismus in newborns

In the first month of life, many young mothers worry that the child cannot focus his eyes on an object. But it is too early to talk about strabismus, since during the first 30 days the baby's eyes are protected by a film and the muscles have not learned to work.

In the second month, the child can already focus his gaze on the object, but it still happens that the eyes run wide. During this period, the installation of binocular vision begins to occur.

Therefore, in the third month of life, the mother is obliged to show the baby to the ophthalmologist. After examination, he can say for sure if there is a disease. When strabismus is confirmed, treatment is prescribed only after reaching 2 years old, since a baby up to this age simply cannot follow the doctor's recommendations.

At an earlier age, the doctor suggests doing only gymnastics for the eyes, focusing the gaze on the subject. After two years, you can start surgical treatment. Also appoint a visit to a special kindergarten for children with visual impairments.

Remember: strabismus cannot be completely cured. Throughout life, it is important to observe preventive measures, otherwise a relapse of the disease is not excluded.