Strabismus is a vision condition in which the eyes do not properly align with another, causing both eyes to wander or turn in different directions, to be misaligned or to cross one another. Not only does strabismus affect someone’s outward appearance, but it also affects one’s vision, causing poor depth perception and eyestrain. This vision condition occurs due to a faulty neurological signal from the brain to the extra-ocular muscles of the eye.
Strabismus compromises nearly 80 percent of our patient care, and we have been successful in helping our patients overcome strabismus. Strabismus is not always easy to detect with the naked eye, and a basic school eye exam will not detect it. At Vision for Life, we offer a series of vision tests to accurately diagnose strabismus. If your child suffers from the symptoms listed below, you should schedule a vision evaluation with us promptly:
- Constant headaches or migraines
- Eyestrain and fatigue
- Squinting or tilting the head to see better
- Poor depth perception
- Double vision
- Motion sickness
- Clumsiness, accident-prone
- Poor motor and sports skills
- Trouble focusing, particularly when tired
- Avoidance of reading or struggling to read
- Differing prescription strengths for each eyes
Ophthalmologists often recommend surgery as the best option for treating strabismus, which has led to the misconception among parents that surgery is the only option for their child. As a developmental optometrist, I respectfully disagree, and am here to tell parents that your child does not need surgery. Surgery is simply a cosmetic fix, and does not improve your child’s long-term vision. At Vision For Life, our vision therapy program will not only straighten your child’s eyes, but also will improve their vision. To learn more about the truth of strabismus surgery and why your child should not receive surgery to correct his or her strabismus, please watch my video.
The reason our non-invasive method of vision therapy is a better treatment for strabismus compared to eye surgery is based on the fact that our therapy program teaches the brain and eyes to work cohesively. The brain is the neurological control center for the eye muscles. This means nothing is seen without the eyes first sending an image to the brain, and the brain then sending a message back to the eyes as to what is being seen. Thus, the connection between the eyes and brain is vital, and surgery severs those neurological pathways. After surgery, the eyes may appear straightened, but this does not mean the brain and eyes are communicating properly. Our vision therapy consists of multiple activities that use the brain to properly realign the eyes for a lasting cure.
If you believe your child is suffering from strabismus, call us today to schedule a comprehensive vision evaluation. If strabismus is diagnosed, we offer vision therapy programs suitable for every age. Our vision activities and interactive games allow your child to have fun while improving his or her vision. Make the decision to improve your loved one’s vision today! Call us at 618-288-1489 or contact us here.