MyNemours Sign-InIf your child has strabismus, which is a misalignment of the eyes, it’s usually the result of a neuromuscular problem. Our pediatric ophthalmologists may recommend glasses or even surgery to straighten the eyes. The important thing is to begin treatment as soon as possible to help improve your child’s vision.
Strabismus ("struh-BIZ-mus") occurs when both eyes are oriented in different directions.
Sometimes called “crossed eyes” or “walleye,” pediatric strabismus often begins when a child is very young and is usually the result of a problem with neuromuscular, including brain, control of eye movement, or less often, the actual eye muscle.
Signs of Strabismus in Children
Strabismus can be congenital (present at birth) or develop in childhood. Many times a family member or teacher notices the misalignment of the eyes; however, there are some signs and symptoms your child might exhibit, including:
- complaining of double vision (seeing two objects when there's only one in view)
- having trouble seeing things in general
- squinting or head tilting (particularly in kids who aren’t old enough to talk)
Left untreated, strabismus can cause vision loss. Only a trained pediatric ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat strabismus in children, so talk to your child’s doctor if you suspect there is a problem. A referral to Nemours might be necessary.