Becoming a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences in a woman’s life, without a doubt, even though it involves a radical transformation in how you approach your life. New concerns arise all the time, new information needs to be absorbed, and your time must be very well managed between your usual tasks and the major task of caring for your child. And of course, many women end up having questions, since the change in life is so radical and sudden. One of the common doubts is when a mother does not know exactly whether her child is a strabismic baby or not. If this is happening to you, don’t worry. We’ll talk about what strabismus is, how to deal with it, and how to know if your baby has this condition or not.

What is Strabismus?

First of all, we need to clarify what strabismus is and its real consequences for a person’s life. There are many myths that surround our daily lives about this condition, which end up generating confusion and doubts in many people. Strabismus is nothing more than an ophthalmological disorder that causes misalignment of one or both eyes. The vast majority of cases of the condition appear in childhood, but it is also possible for an adult to become strabismic. Often, people who suffer from strabismus may experience social problems, psychological, and even economic difficulties because of the condition, but this topic is rarely discussed. Strabismus can manifest in various forms in a person’s eyes, such as convergent, divergent, vertical, latent, or even as pseudostrabismus, a specific type that gives the sensation of eye misalignment. Each of the other types is separated by the way the eyes are misaligned, as the names themselves indicate.

What Causes Strabismus?

Since it is an imbalance between the muscles that control the eyes, it can be said that motor coordination problems are factors that may cause the disorder. Additionally, conditions that affect the brain and the area that controls the muscles can also be factors that lead to strabismus. Some studies indicate that genetics also plays a role, although there are many cases where a person develops the condition even without a family history of strabismus. In addition, we can also point out certain diseases as contributors to the appearance of this problem. Some of them are:

Treatment for Strabismus

Fortunately, strabismus is a condition that can be cured in several ways, from simpler treatments to surgical intervention. The main forms of treating strabismus are:

  • Eye Patch
  • Botulinum Toxin
  • Glasses
  • Surgery

Eye Patch

Very common in children and in cases of strabismic babies, the patch is used so the lazy eye is forced to return to its correct position. To do this, the patch is placed over the healthy eye, so that the brain forces the only eye that can see something to align in order to see better. Needless to say, this type of treatment is only used in children who have strabismus in just one eye.

Botulinum Toxin

This is a type of toxin from the same source as botox that is injected directly into the muscle of the person who has strabismus. In this way, the nerve impulses from the muscles that are uncoordinated are blocked, causing the eyes to become aligned. Although it may seem like a strong treatment, botulinum toxin can also be used in children without problems.

Glasses

This method is used both in children and adults. A simple way to help fix the problem is the use of glasses, as with clearer images in focus, the eye does not have to strain as much and, as a result, may align. However, in most cases, this treatment needs to be accompanied by another method to be effective.

Surgery

This is the recommended method when none of the other treatments have worked for the person with strabismus. It is a simple surgery where the muscles are reorganized and realigned and takes about two hours. Although it is simple, it is not recommended for children, as they are still too fragile, even for the simplest surgeries.

Is it Normal for a Baby’s Eyes to Turn?

Now that you know what strabismus is and how it manifests in people, it’s easier to understand what happens to a baby’s eyes. In the first 3 months of life, they really do have a type of intermittent strabismus. This happens because a baby sees blurry images at the beginning of life and, for the brain to be able to focus, the eyes may appear misaligned for a few seconds. However, this is a problem that usually goes away by 4 months of age, when the baby’s vision has already become clearer. At this stage, you should pay attention to see if the problem persists or not. If it persists, it’s time to see a doctor.

How Do I Know if My Baby has Strabismus?

After 4 months of age, when the brain and eyes are already developed and accustomed to the external environment, parents should observe the baby to check if everything is normal with the child’s eyes. If there is any suspicion, there are two things you can do immediately:

  • Consult a Doctor
  • Do a Home Test

Let’s talk more in-depth about each one so we can better understand.

Consult a Doctor

The first thing you should do when you suspect your baby has strabismus is to consult a doctor. It’s important not to take any action before that, since suspicions are just suspicions. Many times, it could be that your baby has no problem and the difference you notice in their eyes is just a natural reaction.

Do a Home Test

There are tests you can do at home to check your baby’s eye alignment. Checking how your child reacts to light, tilting their head back to check their eyes, paying attention to the way they blink, and moving objects for them to follow with their eyes are some of the tests you can do yourself to find out if your baby is strabismic. But as we’ve already mentioned, to be sure it is important to see a doctor. Strabismus is not one of the most serious problems a baby can have, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require treatment. Any care you can give your baby is welcome, especially when it’s a disorder, no matter its severity. This type of condition often frightens mothers, especially first-time mothers. However, it is essential to research the topic and see a doctor before making any hasty decisions. This kind of attitude is beneficial both for the mother and her peace of mind, as well as the baby’s health. Also see: How to Identify Congenital Cataracts? Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969