Right after birth, the first thing parents do is check and even ask the doctor if the baby is healthy and perfect. Of course, they will not stop loving their child if that is not the case, but it is one of the most common concerns for parents. Many babies are born with a misshapen head, long nails, uneven hair, and strabismus in babies can also occur, which is totally normal in the first few days of life.

Strabismus in babies is common in the first month of life, because at this stage they are still learning to see and use their eyes, so their eyes may move from side to side looking for focus. After the first month, if the eyes are not aligning on a single focus, an ophthalmologist should be consulted. Strabismus, or being cross-eyed as it is popularly called, is a muscle dysfunction of the eyes, which makes it difficult for both eyes to follow the same focus, causing each to turn in opposite directions.

The natural movement of the eyes is controlled by 6 muscles on each side of the eyes, which are directed by the central nervous system. To function properly, these muscles need to work in total harmony. In many cases, strabismus in babies is present since birth and can be a hereditary condition from either the father’s or mother’s side. There are also cases with no family history, usually resulting from other factors such as motor difficulty in controlling eye movements, which is diagnosed as hyperopia.

Neurological problems or diseases such as cerebral palsy can cause strabismus in babies. Genetic diseases like Down syndrome or infectious diseases such as meningitis may also have loss of eye focus as a symptom, resulting in being cross-eyed. Another issue that can occur is amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye.” This happens when vision in one eye stops receiving signals from the brain due to difficulty seeing. The blockage in vision can be due to myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism or even due to congenital cataract, causing the eye to stop working as it should. When treated properly, the normal function of the eye can be restored.

How to Diagnose and Treat?

As we’ve mentioned above, it’s common to notice some difference or irregularity in the eyes of newborns up to 1 month old. After this period, if the eyes do not align in the center, a pediatrician should be consulted for evaluation. If strabismus in a baby is confirmed, an ophthalmologist appointment will be requested. In babies who suffer from amblyopia, making a diagnosis is more complicated, since the other eye sees normally and any difference is harder to notice. An ophthalmologist’s evaluation is needed to be sure of the real situation.

For strabismus, like any other type of eye problem, a 100% reliable diagnosis must be made by a specialist. Once the actual cause of strabismus in the baby has been analyzed and diagnosed, treatment should begin. The causes and risk factors associated with the problem should be considered.

Baby wearing glasses for correction

When strabismus in babies occurs due to hyperopia, the best corrective treatment is the use of glasses. The sooner treatment starts, the faster and more effective the results will be. This is why you can find glasses adapted for use in babies. These glasses are colorful, rubber-coated, and should be used with adjustable elastic or fabric bands so they won’t easily fall off the baby’s face.

In persistent cases that cannot be resolved with glasses, repair surgery is recommended, which is not for realigning the eyes but instead to adjust the functioning of the eye muscles responsible for this function. Remember, this is not a simple problem, but it can be corrected through treatment or surgery. The earlier the treatment and the younger the baby is when treated, the faster the problem will be solved.

See also: Child with Headache – What Could It Be?

Photos: orbis, chuck holton