Chadds Ford:

(610) 558-3142

Holmes:

(610) 461-7353

Springfield:

(610) 543-9275

Strabismus Causes and Treatment

man with lazy eye

In order for your eyes to focus normally, six muscles around each eye must work together. When your two eyes see different images, your brain tends to favor the stronger eye. This means the weak eye gets weaker, resulting in amblyopia, or “lazy eye.”

Risk factors for developing strabismus may include farsightedness and a family history of the disorder. Both adults and children suffer from strabismus, but the causes are different. For adults, causes include:

  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Botulism
  • Graves’ disease
  • Shellfish poisoning
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Cranial nerve palsies
  • Tumors
  • Eye injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Vision loss

Treatment

Treatment for strabismus involves a few steps. First, your eye doctor will determine whether you need glasses. Then, he or she will treat your amblyopia. This typically involves wearing a patch over the stronger eye, forcing the weak eye to work harder. This can be frustrating and tiring, but is an important step.

Next, you might need surgery to help the eye muscles work together correctly. This surgery can be done at any age. Eye alignment surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, often with local or regional anesthetic. However, in some cases, it might require hospitalization. Most people can return to their regular activities within a few days. Your doctor might restrict swimming and heavy lifting for several weeks.

The reasons to have eye alignment surgery go way beyond cosmetic benefits. Eye misalignment can cause disabling and dangerous double vision. Since people with strabismus are often self-conscious about this condition, getting alignment surgery may improve your circumstances emotionally, socially and even economically.

What to Expect After Treatment

Any type of surgery bears risks, including infection, bleeding and anesthetic complications. The most common risks for strabismus surgery are double vision and residual misalignment. In rare cases, patients may suffer retinal detachment or decreased vision. However, most patients experience a significant improvement in eye alignment after surgery. They may feel pain and a pulling sensation around the eyes for a few days. Usually over-the-counter pain relievers can address this level of discomfort.

If you suffer from strabismus and would like to discuss your treatment options, call our clinic today.

Locations

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Chadds Ford Location

Monday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Friday

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

By Appointment Only

Sunday

Closed

Holmes Location

Monday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 7:30 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 7:30 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Springfield Location

Monday

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Chadds Ford Location

Monday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
By Appointment Only
Sunday
Closed

Holmes Location

Monday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

Springfield Location

Monday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed