Infant Strabismus: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment – You Are Parents

The infantile strabismus is an anomaly of life produced by a lack of synchronization eyes. This is a complication that must be detected in time in order to start treatment. The greatest risk of delaying a procedure is that the child will eventually lose sight of the squint eye.

In babies and children, strabismus is one of the most common optic diseases. About 4% of children under the age of 9 suffer from infantile strabismus. The most severe consequences are linked to reduced brain development, learning and knowledge, in addition to loss of sight.

What is infantile strabismus?

Technically, it is the binocular functions that are affected by this dysfunction. The use of sight involves two functions, one binocular and another monocular. Both develop from birth and refine until the age of eight or nine.

In strabismus,  binocular function is damaged and the eyes are unable to move towards the same goal. Faced with this anomaly, information reaches the brain in a confused manner. The central nervous organ reacts by rejecting images with less clarity. In this way, the body readjusts and avoids double vision or diplopia.

The eye that leaves the axis will nevertheless continue to send images to the brain. However, if one persists in vain, the development of vision risks being irretrievably lost. In these cases, the eye becomes a “lazy eye”. After the age of nine without treatment, the situation is usually irreversible.

The causes of infantile strabismus

Among the  most common causes in ophthalmology,  we can mention:

• A dysfunction in the control of the optic nerve.
• Retraction defects such as hyperopia.

Other causes of infantile strabismus:

• Blockage of the nervous system due to illness,  high fever or tremendous stress.
• In addition, it should be mentioned that there  are certain genetic predispositions  to strabismus.
• On the other hand, infantile strabismus  can be the cause of other diseases, such as cerebral palsy or hydrocephalus. Complications such as premature birth can also lead to strabismus. Likewise, children with Down syndrome are more likely to suffer from it.

Types of strabismus

Although the symptoms of this functional abnormality usually appear during childhood, it is also important to know that they can appear in adulthood. Not all strabismus are the same.

• Monocular strabismus and alternating strabismus. In the first, the fixing eye monopolizes the visual field. In the second variant, the input of information alternates and allows a homogeneous development of the two eyes.
• Intermittent strabismus. It only occurs under certain circumstances (illness, stress). It can also appear according to a determined distance from the object (near, average or far).

According to the direction of the deviated eye

• Exotropia or divergent strabismus:  when the eyeball points outwards.
• Entropy or strabismus converge: (most common) when the eye deviates inward.
• Hypotropia and hypertrophy:  when the eyeballs point up or down.

Diagnosis of infantile strabismus

Childhood strabismus can hardly be prevented. But if it is detected in time, discomfort and consequences can be avoided. Binocular dysfunction can even be reversed. The recommended eye exam at the age of three  is essential for children with strabismus.

If the pediatrician notices an abnormality in the eyeballs, he should urgently request an appointment with an ophthalmologist. In the event of a family history, the visit to the ophthalmologist must take place before the age of 3.

Treatment of infantile strabismus

The treatment varies depending on the condition and alignment eye level. The goal is to restore binocular vision. Depending on the case, small glasses or surgery can be prescribed. Patches are also often used to strengthen the weak eye.

Optical correction is the one that applies to cases of accommodative strabismus. In this case, glasses or contact lenses are common. In the case of vision therapy, exercises are performed and then the use of patches is very common.

If surgery is needed, a small incision will be made  to reach the muscle of the tissue that covers the eye. The muscles should then be replaced in one or both eyes, as appropriate. This is a relatively straightforward process that does not prevent children from getting back to business quickly without problems.