​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. This can cause decreased vision in children and double vision in adults.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

In children, strabismus can cause amblyopia, or lazy eye, where the vision development is stunted. If not treated early enough, amblyopia can cause permanent decreased vision or blindness. In adults, strabismus can cause double vision, which can be severely debilitating. In addition to headaches and eye strain, symptoms may include an inability to read comfortably, fatigue when reading, and unstable or "jittery" vision. Notably, strabismus interferes with normal eye contact, often causing embarrassment, anger, and feelings of awkwardness. It affects social communication in a fundamental way, with a possible negative effect on self esteem. One study showed that the behavior of strabismic children was marked by inhibition, anxiety, and emotional disorders.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

The etiology for strabismus in children is poorly understood. Strabismus affects children worldwide and is reported to be present in about 4% of children.

What does the treatment process look like?

Surgeons identify and move muscles in the eye in order to straighten the eye. The conjunctiva (clear covering of the white part of the eye) is opened to reveal the muscle and then closed. This is usually done under general anesthesia.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

For children, straightening the eyes can help treat amblyopia and allow the pathway from the eyes to the brain to develop normally. For adults, straightening the eyes will improve double vision.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Strabismus surgery can cure the problem. The risk of surgery is low. Certain congenital disorders and syndromes can present with strabismus. In this case, children are fully evaluated by medical specialists.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Strabismus is primarily a surgical problem. Many patients travel from far provinces to our medical partner because they cannot receive this care locally.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some strabismus can be treated with glasses or prisms, but surgery is usually needed.