Signs of Strabismus in Children

Crossed eyes or strabismus are quite common in children. This condition makes the left and right eye movements that should be in the same direction different. If left unchecked, crossed eyes can cause children to experience visual disturbances, such as blurred vision or double vision. Therefore, let's recognize the signs of crossed eyes in children and how to handle them!

Also read: Smoking while Pregnant Turns Out to Cause Children's Eyes to Squint!

What is Strabismus or Cross Eyes?

Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is a condition in which the left and right eye muscles connected to the brain do not have proper coordination, so they appear misaligned. As a result, this condition makes both eyes unable to focus on the same point at the same time.

Crossed eyes can occur in children from birth or develop with age. Most of these conditions can be diagnosed when the child is 1-4 years old. If treated properly, crossed eyes generally rarely develop after the child is 6 years old.

Types of Squint Eyes

Crossed eyes can be grouped into several types. The following types of crossed eyes are most often found in children:

1. Squat in a certain direction

- Esotropia: squinting inwards.

- Exotropia: squint outwards.

- Hypertrophy: squinting upwards.

- Hypotropia: squinting downwards.

2. Constant squint is a squint that happens all the time. Meanwhile, intermittent squint is when the squint only occurs at certain moments, such as when tired or sick.

3. Crossed eyes that occur only when the child opens his eyes. However, there is also a crossed eye condition that occurs when the eyes are closed and open. This is called a latent squint.

4. Simultaneous squinting eyes. In this case, the eye muscles work well, but the eyes are always misaligned looking in one direction.

5. Incomitant juling. In this condition, the squint angle may change. When the eyes turn to the left, the eyes can align properly, but when the eyes turn to the right, a squint is visible.

Also read: 5 Eye Health Problems That Often Occur In Children

Causes of Squint in Children

Although the exact cause of crossed eyes in childhood is not known, the condition tends to run in families. In addition, crossed eyes commonly develop in children when the eyes compensate for vision problems, such as cataracts and nearsightedness.

In some cases, your child is at risk for cross-eye due to Down syndrome, premature birth, head injury, or conditions that affect nerves and muscles. There are also some children who experience cross-eyed conditions during the first 6 months after birth for no particular reason. Crossed eyes can also occur due to problems with myopia, astigmatism, or hypermetropia, in which light does not focus properly on the retina.

Symptoms of Strabismus in Children

Physically, usually crossed eyes in children can be easily recognized. But to be sure, here are some signs of crossed eye symptoms in children that you need to know:

- The eye does not look at an object in the same direction.

- Non -simultaneous eye movements.

- Tend to squint or close one eye when exposed to sunlight.

- Often turns or tilts the head when looking at an object.

- When crawling or walking, the child often bumps into something. This happens because the baby's eye ability to measure distance and see 3-dimensional shapes is reduced.

- Double vision, tired eyes, and sensitive to light.

Squint Eye Treatment

If your little one has crossed eyes, here are some recommended medical treatment techniques for him:

1. Injection into the eye muscle

Although the effects of these injections can only last up to 3 months, this treatment can help weaken the eye muscles, so that the eyes can easily align properly.

2. Surgery

During surgery, the eye muscles that control movement are corrected, allowing the eyes to align themselves. However, surgery is usually the last resort in this case, especially for babies.

3. Use of glasses

If the squint is the result of a problem such as nearsightedness, then glasses can be the right solution to overcome this condition.

Crossed eyes are quite common in children. However, if left unchecked, this condition can affect the child's self-development in the future. Therefore, if you see signs of a crossed eye in your child, immediately consult a doctor so that your child can get the right treatment. (US)

Also read: Various Activities to Improve Children's Eye and Hand Coordination

Reference

Parenting First Cry. "Squint and Amblyopia in Babies".

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