Adult strabismus disorders are treated by pediatric ophthalmologists.
Adult strabismus generally falls into one of the following categories:
- Uncorrected childhood-onset strabismus
- Childhood-onset strabismus for which eye muscle surgery was performed, but significant eye misalignment persists or recurs
- Acquired strabismus from orbital or head trauma, stroke, orbital or brain tumors, thyroid-related eye disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, or prior ocular surgery (including cataract surgery with retrobulbar injections, glaucoma, or retinal surgery)
Strabismus may be classified in a number of ways according to a variety of factors:
- Constant – the eye deviates all of the time
- Intermittent – the eye deviates some of the time
- Bilateral – both eyes are affected
- Unilateral – only one eye is affected
- Alternating – misalignment alternates between eyes
- Congenital – strabismus is present at birth or develops during the first six months of life
- Acquired – strabismus develops after six months of age
- Esotropia – the eye turns inward (horizontal misalignment)
- Exotropia – the eye turns outward (horizontal misalignment)
- Hypertropia – the eye turns up or down (vertical misalignment)
- Cyclotropia – one eye deviates from the other by turning around its visual axis (rotational misalignment)
- Complex – a combination of esotropia, exotropia, hypertropia, or cyclotropia
Symptoms of strabismus may include double vision, loss of vision in one eye, loss of depth perception, tired eyes, headaches, adoption of an abnormal head position, or difficulty negotiating stairs or curbs (especially with vertical eye misalignment).
Treatment may include such nonsurgical options as an eye patch, contact lenses, eyeglasses with or without prism, eye exercises, or Botox injections.
If you or your child is affected by strabismus, Dr. Grace Shin can diagnose your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment(s). Call Ideal EyeCare at (702) 896-2020 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shin.
