What to do if Your Child Has Crossed Eyes

The medical term for crossed eyes is strabismus. It’s defined as the two eyes not aligning properly, and pointing in different directions. Before learning more about what to do if your child has crossed eyes, it’s important to note that it’s very common for babies to be born with temporary misalignment, so there’s no need to panic if you notice this for a few months after they come into the world. It’s when the condition persists that you should consult with an optometrist in New Albany, MS. Doing so may help your child to prevent long-term vision and learning problems.

Types of Strabismus

A few different types of strabismus exist. Esotropia is what it’s called when one or both eyes turn inward. Exotropia is when an eye turns outward. Hypertropia involves an upward deviation, while hypotropia causes the eye to drift downward. As a diligent parent, you may notice how your child’s strabismus is displaying. You can mention this to your child’s eye doctor, but a professional evaluation will be needed in order to definitively make a diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan.

Why Prompt Action Matters

For newborns with alignment issues, it’s worth bringing up the matter with an eye doctor, even though, as mentioned, many early cases resolve themselves. But this way, your child’s eye doctor will be aware of the issue and can monitor your child’s eye development.

Strabismus can lead to an assortment of problems, including the development of amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” where the brain favors one eye over the other, causing the weaker eye’s vision to deteriorate. Depth perception and binocular vision may also be impaired. The obvious challenges that present with strabismus can lead to developmental delays, brought on by an inability to keep up with peers in the learning environment.

Treatment For Crossed Eyes

Start by scheduling an eye exam with a pediatric optometrist or ophthalmologist. During the exam, the doctor will determine the type and severity of the misalignment and evaluate overall eye health. Treatment varies depending on the diagnosis and may include special corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, patching therapy, vision therapy or surgery in certain cases.

If you suspect that your child has strabismus, please book an eye exam in New Albany, MS as soon as possible for a professional diagnosis.