Strabismus is a visual condition characterised by one or both eyes not being correctly aligned with the direction in which the affected person is looking. However, it is relatively common for stages or episodes of strabismus to occur in infants, without implying that there is any vision-related impairment.
Is it normal for a baby to avert its eyes?
Yes, it is quite normal for babies to squint from time to time during the first months of life. Why does this happen? Because their eye muscles are still in a stage of development and consolidation.
Therefore, at this stage their eyes may move somewhat uncoordinated or erratically and/or be oriented in both convergent and divergent directions. This usually occurs sporadically.
Causes of strabismus in infants
When we talk about causes of strabismus in infantsIn this case, we refer to those cases already diagnosed in which it is confirmed that the misalignment of the eyes is due to a specific disorder, and not to the lack of ocular muscle development that is characteristic of the first months of life.
In such cases, these are the most frequent causes:
- Amblyopia: Colloquially known as "lazy eye" disorder, this is a condition in which the muscles of one eye are properly developed, but there is impaired vision in one eye.
- Hypermetropia: this refractive defect may be the sole and sufficient cause for an infant, a child or an adult to have strabismus.
- Neurological disturbances or disorders: conditions in the nerves or areas of the brain involved in the functioning of the eye muscles.
- Other diseases or syndromes: In addition, strabismus may be related to disorders of other natures. For example, Down's syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity or infantile haemangiomas located near the eye area.
- Genetic predisposition: it is well established that when there is a family history of strabismus it is more likely to develop this condition.
How to detect strabismus in babies
And how do you detect strabismus in a baby, differentiating it from natural squinting? By observing closely:
- The frequency and circumstances of occurrence of eye deviations: occasional squinting usually appears only when the baby is tired or distracted. Strabismus, on the other hand, is persistent and occurs in all circumstances.
- Eye behaviour at times of near focus: In the case of occasional squinting, the baby's eyes are correctly coordinated when fixating on a near object and focusing on it. In strabismus, one or both eyes remain misaligned when the baby tries to stare at a close object.
- Reaction to visual stimuli in the middle distance: another sign of possible strabismus is that the eye deviation persists even when we draw the baby's attention to the middle distance and the baby looks at us.
In the presence of any of the above symptoms, a paediatric ophthalmologist should be consulted as soon as possible. The same should be done if the strabismus is occasional, but persists after the baby has reached 6 months of age.
In this respect, we suggest relying on the good work and experience of the Dr. Carmen Reino Pérez, the specialist in Paediatric Ophthalmology of our clinic.
How strabismus is treated in babies
And how to correct strabismus in babies? By identifying the underlying cause and assessing the severity of the case. If the cause of the strabismus is not an underlying disease or disorder outside the eye, the paediatric ophthalmologist can prescribe:
- Patching: If strabismus affects only one eye and is caused by amblyopia, a patch is placed on the dominant eyeball to stimulate vision in the eye that is deviated.
- Visual therapy: exercises aimed at getting the baby to focus attention on certain objects that change position. The aim is twofold: to strengthen the eye muscles and to promote coordination.
- The use of corrective glasses: if the baby's age allows it, their use can correct or alleviate the refractive problem causing the strabismus.
- Eye surgery: reserved for cases in which previous treatments are not sufficient to correct the deviation.
We conclude by recalling that early diagnosis and corresponding treatment increase the chances that strabismus in infants will be corrected within a reasonable period of time.