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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

Office Hours

Medical District Location: 1804 W. Arlington Blvd

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

FireTower Location: 915 E FireTower Rd, Suite 108

Monday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Closed for Lunch: 12-1pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Closed for Lunch: 12-1pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Closed for Lunch: 12-1pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Closed for Lunch: 12-1pm

Friday:

8:30 am-5:30 pm

Closed for Lunch: 12-1pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • "My experience with Carolina Vision Care is always great. The personnel there is very professional and very friendly, helpful in any way."
    - Georgia L.
  • "I moved to Greenville in May and I was just going to go back to my old eye doctor but I decided to try this place out. I must say my experience was great. From when I walked in the staff was cheerful and happy. I had a lady take me back for the pre-exam part and she was such a sweetheart ! Then the eye doctors daughter who is also the contact lady was sooo nice and made me feel at home! Amazing, amazing place!"
    -Jennifer L.