Causes of Strabismus

Strabismus does not occur due to a single cause; it can develop from multiple factors. To briefly mention the causes:

•  Prenatal problems, problems at birth
•  Genetic predisposition
•  Medical conditions in childhood
•  Eye disorders should be checked out in 2-3 year old and older children who have strabismus. In addition, strabismus may result from fever-related diseases, falling, surgeries or any accident.
•  Accidents and head trauma may lead paralysis developed in the brain’s optical center. This can affect eye muscles and cause strabismus.
•  Uncontrolled high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels may damage the brains’s optical center.

 Symptoms of Strabismus:

•  Disruption of the existing symmetry between the eyes.
•  Watering eyes in high frequency or at irregular intervals.
•  Pain in the eye and the brain
•  In general, the occurrence of double vision of objects or the decrease or disappearance of 3D (three-dimensional) vision.
•  Blurry vision is the most common symptom of strabismus.
•  Nesneleri ve bireyleri flu ve bulanık görme şaşılık belirtileri arasında en sık rastlanan belirtilerdir

Types of Strabismus

Considering the types of strabismus seen in the society, the most common ones can be classified as congenital strabismus, hidden strabismus condition, strabismus caused by refractive errors in the eye, strabismus caused by paralysis, strabismus in adults and special strabismus conditions.

Congenital Strabismus

Congenital Strabismus usually starts within the first months of birth and becomes prominent within a year. Regular ophthalmologist controls become important in terms of treatment and early diagnosis. Within the first months after birth, congenital strabismus can be diagnosed with a detailed eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist. Periodic check-up may be requested.

Since low and moderate hypermetropia can be generally observed in babies, we recommend that families to take their babies to an ophthalmologist to make an examination as soon as when they notice strabismus in their children.

Strabismus Caused by Refractive Defects

It generally starts at the age of 1-2, depending on the refractive error in the eye. It is a type of strabismus common in children with severe hyperopia. In this condition, the strabismus can be eliminated completely or partially. Strabismus may start all of a sudden. Falling or high fever may result in strabismus.

Hidden Strabismus

It is a type of strabismus that can be physically observed externally by closing one of the eyes. It is a very common type of strabismus in Turkey. When both eyes are open, this type of strabismus can only be distinguished by an ophthalmologist. Patient complaints are more intense if the patient also has refractive eye defects. In particular, headache while reading is the most frequently reported complaint by the patients with strabismus.

Strabismus Caused by Paralysis

Difficult labour, trauma or high fever experienced in infancy, multiple sclerosis (MS) and similar diseases affecting the nervous system, intracranial tumors and cysts may be the causes of strabismus. In such cases, when the brain’s optical center is damaged, patients generally complain about double vision. Strabismus caused by a temporary paralysis in young ages can be permanent in adolescence and adulthood.

Strabismus in Adults

Strabismus occurred in adolescence and adulthood is generally observed as exotropia. It may occur due to the excessive or the deficient work of the outer muscles that provide the inner movement of the eye.

Special Types of Strabismus

Sometimes, functional (functional) disorders in the muscles may be encountered with birth. Amblyopia is an issue to be considered in strabismus due to functional reasons.