1. Amblyopia
Because the eyes are aligned in different directions, Strabismus commonly results in a condition called Amblyopia. This means that abnormal development of the visual system in childhood causes one or both eyes to have less visual function than potentially could have occurred. When the eyes are misaligned, they receive two separate images that the brain cannot combine as a whole. In this case, the brain will ignore the blurry image of the misaligned eye and focus only on the one, leading to a lack of proper development on the neglected side. Because the brain is receiving poorer quality visual input, the amount of “learning to see” that takes place is less due to under stimulation of the nerve pathways between the eye and the brain. To put it very simply, Amblyopia results in blurred vision.
2. Treat it Early
If you notice a child (older than 6 months) has eyes that appear misaligned, talk to the parents about getting an eye exam from a pediatric ophthalmologist to obtain treatment or diagnosis. The earlier a child receives treatment, the more effective treatment will be. If the child is older than 5 years, treatment may no longer be effective. Additionally, even without showing obvious signs of eye misalignment, if there is a history of strabismus in the family, an early eye exam can catch the problem early and minimize any long-term affects like amblyopia.
3. Treatment Options
When attended to before the age of five, Strabismus can be corrected and its negative affects minimized. Treatment options include eye glasses to correct the image seen by the misaligned eye, medication, and in some cases, even surgery. Eye muscle exercises can also be used to help the eye turn in the correct direction. Some children with strabismus may also be instructed to ware a patch over the good eye to force the misaligned eye to be used and developed.
4. Loss of Depth Perception
If strabismus is not treated within the window of 6 months to 5 years of age, permanent vision loss in the turned eye known as amblyopia is the result. Since the brain is using input from a single eye to see, this also causes lack of depth perception which can be a safety hazard. An Orientation and Mobility Assessment can be performed by a specialist to determine if and what adaptations can be recommended for the child to better access their environment.