What Is Strabismus?
Strabismus at a Glance
Strabismus can turn an eye inward or outward and may happen all the time or only some of the time. Early care supports healthy vision and depth perception.
Strabismus is an eye turn that prevents both eyes from pointing at the same target. The brain may then favor one eye to keep vision clear.
Esotropia means the eye turns inward. Exotropia means the eye turns outward. Both types can affect how the brain uses the eyes together.
With an alternating turn, each eye takes turns fixing on objects. Vision can still develop fairly well, but the eyes are not used together at the same time. With a constant turn, one eye is used more and the other eye may not develop normal vision without treatment.
Untreated strabismus can lead to reduced vision called amblyopia and loss of depth perception. Seeing a specialist early helps protect long term visual development.
Signs and Symptoms Parents Notice
Some signs are easy to spot while others are more subtle. If you are unsure, a pediatric friendly eye exam can help.
Parents may notice one eye drifting or turning, especially when the child is tired or daydreaming.
Children may close one eye in bright light, tilt their head, or avoid near tasks. Sports and reading can feel harder without comfortable binocular vision.
If an eye turn is present after 4 to 6 months of age, shows up often, or seems constant, schedule a comprehensive exam. Sudden eye turns at any age should be checked soon.
How Strabismus Affects Vision Development
The eyes and brain work as a team. When alignment is off, the brain may adapt in ways that limit vision in one eye or depth perception.
A constant turn can cause the brain to rely on one eye. The other eye may develop weaker vision over time and may need treatment to catch up.
Good alignment allows the brain to fuse images from both eyes for strong depth perception. Strabismus can reduce or prevent 3D vision.
To avoid double vision, the brain may ignore the image from the turned eye. This suppression can delay normal visual development if not addressed.
When the eyes alternate fixation, overall vision can still develop fairly well. Treatment may still be needed to improve teamwork and comfort.
Causes and Risk Factors
Strabismus has many causes. An exam can uncover the reason and guide the right plan.
Strabismus may be related to focusing problems, differences in vision between the eyes, or the way the eye muscles and nerves work together.
Family history, prematurity, and certain medical or developmental conditions can increase the chance of strabismus.
Strabismus is not caused by sitting too close to the TV. It is a medical condition that benefits from professional care.
Diagnosis at ReFocus Eye Health Manchester
We provide a gentle, thorough evaluation designed for children and adults. Our team explains each step in clear, simple terms.
We use age appropriate tests to check alignment, focus, eye health, and team the eyes together. Most tests feel like a game and take only a few minutes.
We may check eye alignment with light and cover tests, measure glasses prescription, and evaluate depth perception and eye movements.
Our practice has served thousands of families with advanced tools and a 4.8 rating from 1000 plus Google reviews. Patients visit us in Manchester, CT and from nearby East Hartford, South Windsor, and Vernon.
Treatment Options We Offer
Care is personalized to your child and may include one or more treatments. The goal is to align the eyes, protect vision, and support comfortable teamwork.
Glasses can reduce the effort needed to focus and may straighten the eyes, especially when farsightedness is present.
Patching the stronger eye or using atropine drops helps the weaker eye work harder. This improves vision and supports better balance between the eyes.
Prisms bend light to help the eyes work together. They can reduce double vision and improve comfort in some cases.
Guided exercises build focusing, tracking, and teaming skills. Home activities reinforce clinic work and fit your child’s age.
For some patients, surgery adjusts the eye muscles to improve alignment. It is often combined with glasses or therapy for the best results.
Children grow and vision changes. Regular visits help us update the plan and protect progress over time.
What to Expect During Care
We partner with your family, explain choices, and track results with clear milestones.
We match treatment to the type of strabismus, whether the turn is alternating or constant, and your child’s visual needs.
Some children improve with glasses alone. Others need a mix of patching, therapy, or surgery. We review goals at each visit.
Simple daily steps can support progress:
- Follow patching or drop schedules as prescribed.
- Encourage reading and games that use both eyes together.
- Keep glasses clean and fitted so your child wears them comfortably.
FAQs About Strabismus
Here are answers to common questions we hear from families in the Greater Hartford, East Hartford, and Middletown metropolitan area.
Brief misalignment can be normal in the first few months as the visual system develops. If an eye turn lasts past 4 to 6 months or appears constant, schedule an exam.
Some intermittent turns improve with glasses or growth, but constant eye turns usually need treatment to protect vision.
Not always. Many children improve with glasses, patching, or therapy. Surgery is considered when alignment does not respond enough or when a larger turn is present.
Any age is appropriate if you notice an eye turn. Routine pediatric eye exams help catch issues early, even before school age.
Yes. Adults may benefit from prisms, therapy in select cases, or surgery to improve alignment and comfort.
Screen time does not cause strabismus. It can make an existing intermittent turn show up more when eyes are tired. Balanced breaks can help with comfort.
We Are Here for Your Family
ReFocus Eye Health Manchester provides trusted, personalized care for strabismus and children’s vision for Manchester and surrounding communities, including parts of Hartford, Tolland, and Middlesex Counties.
Friendly efficient professional staff The place to go for World class eye care Dr Goldstein is the tops!!!!
Robert Valli
Dr. Ramos-Esteban is professional, amiable and an excellent doctor. He answered all my questions and I didn’t feel rushed. I am so happy that he’s my new ophthalmologist.
Linda Gilbert
Office staff and Professional staff always pleasant and accommodating. Visit is efficient and orderly. Taken in at scheduled appointment time.
Michael A. Ryan
Knowledgeable and friendly doctors and staff. Short wait time, even with a busy waiting room. Online check-in is great to save time.
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Wonderful…Dr. was very helpful, knowledgeable and patient. My wife and I were very pleased.
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