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Strabismus and How Viruses May Play a Role

Strabismus, simply put, is when both eyes are unable to look at the same spot at the same time, making binocular vision challenging and in many cases not possible. Strabismus makes it harder for the person to realize depth perception when viewing something. There are different reasons this vision condition can surface. In some cases, even viruses can trigger strabismus.

Forms of strabismus

Some people are born with strabismus, and some may notice symptoms at an early age. It may be a trauma happened either during childbirth or during the 9 months in the womb. If strabismus is diagnosed after birth or early on, it is referred to as Congenital Strabismus. Another form of strabismus is called Acquired Strabismus, where the condition was triggered by a sickness, illness, traumatic brain injury or visually stressful event that happens later in life.

Types of strabismus

Depending on which way the eye turns, there are different types of strabismus.

• Hypertropia – the eye turns upwards
• Hypotropia – the eye turns downwards
• Esotropia –  inward turn of the eye
• Exotropia –   outward turn of the eye
. Cyclotropia – a diagonal turn of the eye

The success of strabismus treatment was once believed to be most suitable for patients six years and younger, but now we know that success can happen at any age.

Viruses that can cause strabismus

While there are a number of diseases and conditions that can affect your vision, viral problems can also. From adenovirus (pinkeye) to herpes and shingles, many viruses have the potential to cause binocular vision problems.

If you or a loved one notices symptoms associated with strabismus, it’s important to contact Vision for Life and Success.

Assessing strabismus

At Vision for Life and Success, we offer a comprehensive vision exam that can help to determine what may be causing strabismus, making sure an underlying illness or something more serious isn’t the cause. We look into neurological signs, headaches and more. With our older patients, we want to make sure strabismus didn’t occur due to a stroke or Parkinson’s Disease, for example. The good news is, at Vision for Life and Success there are treatment options available, no matter what may have caused the strabismus.

Treatment for strabismus.

At Vision for Life and Success, we use syntonic filters that are designed to help electrically “trigger” messages from the brain to your muscles, helping them know how to align properly. Different filters trigger the brain in different ways, and we are able to customize a program suitable to your unique situation. After a series of sessions with us, your vision will begin to work in unison, resulting in enhanced binocularity. In addition to light therapy or syntonics, which we consider to be one Phase of therapy, we offer vision therapy exercises (Phase 2) that, when done with repetition, can teach the eyes and brain to work together.

If you want to learn more, visit our website here or call us at (618) 288-1489. At Vision for Life & Success, we are able to address and correct strabismus, helping you or a loved one see clearly again.