Advanced Surgical Solutions for Strabismus
Eye muscle surgery for adults and children.
When misalignment of the eyes is present, our experienced ophthalmic surgeon, Dr. Melissa Shipley, MD, FAAP, can help. Strabismus in children and adults is when one eye is focused on an object while the other crosses in, drifts out, floats up, or points down. This misalignment can occur when you look in a particular direction or when you look in all directions. It may always be noticeable, or it may come and go.
Normal
When looking at an object, both eyes are in alignment.
Esotropia
When looking at an object, one eye is deviated inward, or nasally.
Exotropia
When looking at an object, one eye is deviated outward.
Hypotropia
When looking at an object, one eye is deviated downwards when both eyes are open.
Hypertropia
When looking at an object, one eye is deviated upwards in comparison to the other eye.
Does My Child Have Strabismus?
If left untreated, strabismus can cause visual development in children. However, it can be difficult to detect in a young child, particularly if your child’s eyes do not deviate all the time. Children often do not complain about their vision or eyes when they are misaligned, which means that parents and pediatricians are usually the first line of defense in diagnosing strabismus. Some symptoms to look for in your child include:
- Squinting
- Closing an eye in bright lights (photosensitivity)
- Headaches
- Head tilts/turns
When the eyes are misaligned, two different pictures are sent to the brain. In a young child, the brain learns to ignore the image of the misaligned eye. This causes loss of depth perception and binocular vision, and often “lazy eye” (amblyopia) results.
If you have any concerns about your child’s eyes, it is important to have a full evaluation by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Depending on the cause and type of eye misalignment, glasses, patching, eye drops, prisms and/or surgery may be recommended. Our pediatric team will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine an effective treatment plan.
Strabismus in Adults
Adults with misaligned eyes usually experience double vision and often have trouble focusing when reading or working. Adults also notice visible changes when one or both eyes are deviating. Strabismus in adults can place severe limitations on your life, including inhibiting your ability to drive and work. While glasses and patching can be effective, strabismus surgery, also called eye muscle surgery, is often needed to correct the misalignment.
Adrienne discusses her experience with strabismus surgery
Symptoms of Adult Strabismus
- Weakness in or around the eye
- Sensation similar to pulling around your eyes
- Changes in your vision
- Double vision (seeing two of a single image)
- Blurry vision
- Trouble reading or focusing on a single object
- Loss of depth perception
- Tilting or turning of the head to see an image clearly
It’s never too late to treat strabismus. Our skilled ophthalmic surgeon specializes in strabismus and eye muscle surgery and has helped countless patients regain clear vision. Schedule a consultation today and we can work with you to develop a treatment plan that improves your vision and your life.