Strabismus is a kind of condition where the eye will be misaligned which is also called crossed eyes or squint. When an individual looks at an object, their eyes may focus in different directions—one eye looking straight while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. Crossed eyes can be frustrating as they cause impaired vision, affecting a child's depth perception and overall eye coordination. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for both adults and children. However, since a child's visual system is still developing, early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term vision problems. A common question is whether strabismus can be caused by eye strain, particularly in children. To understand this, it is important to differentiate between eye strain and strabismus. Keep reading to learn more.
Primary causes of strabismus in children
One of the most common causes of strabismus is genetics. If a child has a family history of strabismus, they are at a higher risk of developing the condition. In such cases, the misalignment of the eyes may be present at birth or may develop within the first few years of life.
Strabismus often results from issues with the muscles that control eye movement or nerves that transmit signals from the brain to these muscles. In cases of congenital strabismus, the muscles responsible for aligning the eyes may not develop properly, leading to a misalignment. Nerve disorders such as cerebral palsy or conditions like Down syndrome are also associated with a higher incidence of strabismus.
In some cases, strabismus may develop due to untreated refractive errors, such as farsightedness. When a child has significant farsightedness, their eyes must work harder to focus on nearby objects, which can lead to an inward turning of the eyes. While this may seem like eye strain, the brain attempts to compensate for the refractive error.
The role of eye strain in strabismus development
While eye strain is not a direct cause of strabismus, it can exacerbate existing eye alignment issues. Children who already have a predisposition to strabismus or who are borderline cases may experience worsening symptoms when their eyes are overworked. For example, a child with latent strabismus may experience more pronounced symptoms after extended periods of close work, such as reading or using a computer.
In these cases, eye strain does not cause the strabismus but may make the misalignment more noticeable or lead to intermittent episodes. This is why parents need to ensure that children take regular breaks during visually demanding activities to reduce the risk of exacerbating any underlying vision problems.
Prevention and management of eye strain and strabismus
Below are some preventive steps to manage eye strain and reduce the risk of worsening strabismus
- Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and treatment of both refractive errors and strabismus. Pediatric eye exams can identify vision problems that may contribute to eye strain or strabismus, and corrective measures, such as prescription glasses or vision therapy, can be implemented early on.
- To minimize the risk of eye strain, it is important to limit the amount of time children spend in front of screens. Encourage frequent breaks using the "20-20-20 rule," which involves looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of close work.
- For children with strabismus, vision therapy may be recommended by an ophthalmologist. This involves a series of exercises that strengthen the eye muscles and improve eye coordination.
Get Strabismus consultation
Eye strain is a common issue that everyone experiences at some point. However, while eye strain does not directly cause strabismus in children, it can exacerbate pre-existing conditions. The primary causes of strabismus are genetic, muscular, or neurological factors. However, eye strain can worsen pre-existing conditions. In these instances, timely eye examination and proper and restricted use of digital screens are highly important. Take your strabismus consultation from the best eye hospital in the city The Eye Foundation today.
