Visual, DEVELOPMENTAL & EDUCATIONAL Services for your entire family

 

FOSTERING Clinical EXPERTISE, RESEARCH & EDUCATION​

                                                     Strabismus
Strabismus refers to a condition in which the eyes are misaligned. In some cases, the eyes turn in (esotropia) and in others they may turn out (exotropia). It may be constant or intermittent, and sometimes affects one eye, while other times, alternates between the two eyes. There are six nerves attached to each eye, which control how they move. Though it is frequently said that strabismus is a “poor eye muscle” condition, the muscles are in fact receiving the signals from the brain, making it not just a hardware issue, but a software issue between mind and eyes.

Proper alignment of the eyes is important for a multitude of reasons—to avoid seeing double, to experience good depth perception and to prevent developmental or learning delays and consequences of anxiety.

 
Prevalence of Strabismus
According to the National Eye Institute, strabismus affects approximately 1 in every 25 to 50 individuals in the US (2-4% of the population). This also translates into approximately 6 to 12 million people in the US. Worldwide, this would estimate to anywhere between 130 to 260 million people¹.

Treatment of Strabismus
The reliance on surgery or patching to treat strabismus stems from the outdated belief that lost neural synapses cannot regenerate. New evidence shows, however, that the synapses of the neuromotor system can indeed do this, and eye movement innervations can be changed.


At The Center for Visual Management, treatment of strabismus begins with a comprehensive examination and perceptual analysis, which can be initiated by our doctors from 6 months of age and on. Prism lenses and/or traditional eyeglasses to directly realter visual processing stimulus, in addition to vision therapy greatly aids patients with strabismus, when adhered to strictly.

For more information on our methods of treating strabismus, please read our methodology to visual management treatment here.
 

References
National Eye Institute (NEI). Visual Processing/Strabismus.
https://nei.nih.gov/health/strabismus

Last Accessed May 17, 2016