Adult strabismus
Adult Strabismus
- Imbalance of the 6 muscles that control eye movement
- These patients show a 10-fold increased risk of depression
What is Strabismus?
Strabismus is an eyesight problem that consists of the loss of parallelism between the two eyes, meaning they are not properly aligned and each one points in a different direction. Despite being a pathology often associated with childhood, it can also occur in adults and is treatable.
What Causes It?
Adult strabismus can arise as a result of childhood strabismus or be secondary to different diseases and processes. Depending on its causes, there are four main groups of strabismus, each requiring specific treatment:
- Paralytic: The muscles responsible for moving and focusing the eye are much weaker, generally due to ischemias, tumors, or neurological pathologies.
- Restrictive: This is due to a mechanical problem arising from prior eye surgeries, orbital fractures or trauma, as well as secondary to thyroid diseases or high myopia.
- Essential: This often comes from childhood, although it might also result from aging due to laxity of the tissues involved in eye movements.
- Sensorial: Associated with poor eyesight, it arises when one of the two eyes cannot see or has very limited vision.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A complete ophthalmological examination is performed to assess the degree of ocular deviation and the type of strabismus, which helps determine subsequent treatment. Specific tests may be required to assess the disease, and any other associated eye diseases or refractive disorders are ruled out during the visit.
Symptoms
In cases where strabismus appears in adulthood, the patient often experiences intermittent or constant double vision (diplopia), which may become extremely incapacitating during everyday activities.
Additionally, childhood strabismus does not cause diplopia, but patients suffering from it often experience:
- Visual fatigue
- Problems relating to others or self-esteem issues
It is important to consider the psychosocial implications of ocular deviation, as correcting it not only addresses a functional problem but also offers aesthetic benefits.