👁️ Strabismus Causes and Treatment: Self-Test Methods You Can Try at Home

Strabismus—commonly known as crossed eyes or eye misalignment—is a condition where the two eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
It can affect both children and adults and, if left untreated, may lead to vision loss, reduced depth perception, and significant psychological impact.

In this guide, we'll explain the common causes of strabismus in children and adults, share home self-testing techniques, and go over the available treatment options.

👶 Causes of Strabismus in Children

Childhood strabismus often develops due to genetic or neurological factors.
Most cases appear before the age of 5, and early intervention is critical.

Common Causes in Children:

Congenital muscle imbalance
Abnormalities in the eye muscles from birth lead to misalignment.
Accommodative esotropia (focusing-induced inward turning)
Often seen in farsighted children who overuse focusing muscles.
Family history of strabismus
Genetics play a strong role.
Visual deprivation
Conditions like cataracts or ptosis that block visual stimuli during eye development.

📌 If untreated, strabismus can result in amblyopia (lazy eye), reduced vision in one eye due to underuse.

🧑 Strabismus in Adults – Why Does It Happen?

Adults can also develop strabismus, often due to underlying neurological or muscular issues.

Common Causes in Adults:

Cranial nerve palsy
Stroke, head trauma, or brain tumor can damage nerves that control eye muscles.
Diabetes and hypertension
These conditions can affect the small blood vessels supplying the eye muscles.
Fatigue or stress
Temporary strabismus may occur due to eye strain or tiredness.
Loss of vision in one eye
The eye may drift due to lack of visual input.

⚠️ Sudden onset of double vision or eye misalignment in adults requires immediate medical attention, as it could signal a more serious condition.

🏠 How to Self-Test for Strabismus

While only an eye specialist can provide a formal diagnosis, here are two simple home tests you can try:

1. Light Reflection Test (Hirschberg Test)

Stand in front of a mirror or face another person in a well-lit room.
Shine a flashlight toward both eyes.
Normal: Light reflection should appear in the same spot in each pupil.
Abnormal: If the reflection is off-center in one eye, it may suggest misalignment.

2. Cover-Uncover Test

Focus on a distant object.
Cover one eye and observe the uncovered eye.
Then uncover the first eye and watch if the other eye moves to re-fixate.
Movement after uncovering suggests the eyes were misaligned.

📍 These tests don’t replace professional care but can indicate when it’s time to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

🩺 Treatment Options for Strabismus

Treatment depends on age, cause, severity, and whether the condition is constant or intermittent.

👦 For Children:

Glasses: Correct refractive errors, especially for accommodative esotropia.
Patching (occlusion therapy): Stimulates the weaker eye to prevent amblyopia.
Eye muscle surgery: Adjusts muscle length to correct alignment.
Vision therapy: Exercises that improve eye coordination and control.

👨 For Adults:

Prism glasses: Help reduce or eliminate double vision (diplopia).
Botox injections: Temporarily weaken overactive eye muscles.
Strabismus surgery: Corrects muscle imbalance.
Underlying condition treatment: Managing diabetes, hypertension, or nerve damage is essential to prevent recurrence.

📌 Final Summary

Strabismus is more than just a cosmetic issue—it can affect learning, driving, coordination, and quality of life.
Whether you're a parent concerned about your child’s eye alignment, or an adult experiencing new-onset symptoms, early action makes a huge difference.

Group	Common Causes	Treatments
Children	Congenital, genetic, visual delay	Glasses, patching, surgery
Adults	Stroke, diabetes, eye strain	Prism lenses, Botox, surgery

✅ Remember:

Early detection = better outcomes
Home tests = useful, not diagnostic
Regular eye exams = essential for everyone

👁️ Take charge of your vision. Don’t ignore the signs!

Knowledge Nexus