Strabismus: when the eyes do not look in the same direction

21 August 2025

Strabismus is a visual condition in which the eyes do not align properly to look at the same point at the same time. While one eye may be focused forward, the other deviates inward, outward, upward, or downward. This condition can appear either constantly or intermittently and affects both children and adults.

There are several causes that may lead to this misalignment of the eyes:

• Imbalance in the eye muscles, which are responsible for moving the eyes.

• Uncorrected refractive errors, such as hyperopia.

• Family history, as it can have a hereditary component.

• Neurological or systemic problems, less frequent but possible.

In children, strabismus usually appears during the first years of life. In adults, it may develop secondarily to trauma, neurological diseases, or even as a consequence of untreated childhood strabismus.

Consequences of strabismus

Strabismus not only affects the appearance of the gaze but also visual health:

• In childhood, it can cause amblyopia (lazy eye), since the brain “turns off” the image from the deviated eye to avoid double vision.

• It may affect depth perception and binocular vision.

• In adults, it commonly causes diplopia (double vision).

• Additionally, it can influence self-esteem and personal confidence.

Available treatments

Treatment for strabismus depends on the cause, age, and type of deviation. Among the most common options are:

• Corrective lenses to treat associated refractive errors.

• Vision therapy to strengthen eye coordination.

• Occlusive patch in children with lazy eye, to stimulate the weaker eye.

• Eye muscle surgery, in cases where the deviation cannot be corrected with conservative treatments.