Information AboutStrabismus |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT STRABISMUS | |
| ophthalmology | |
Strabismus (from s that prevents bringing the gaze of each eye to the same point in space and preventing proper Binocular Vision , which may adversely affect Depth Perception . Strabismus can be either a disorder of the brain coordinating the eyes or a disorder of one or more muscles, as in any process that causes a dysfunction of the usual direction and power of the muscle or muscles. DIAGNOSIS During Eye Examination s, Ophthalmologist s, orthoptists, and Optometrist s typically use a Cover Test to aid in the diagnosis of strabismus. If the eye being tested is the strabismic eye, then it will fixate on the object after the "good" eye is covered, as long as the vision in this eye is good enough. If the "good" eye is being tested, there will be no change in fixation, as it is already fixated. Depending on the direction that the strabismic eye deviates, the direction of deviation may be assessed. ''Exotropic'' is outwards (away from the midline) and ''esotropic'' is inwards (towards the nose). A simple screening test for strabismus is the Hirschberg Test . A flashlight is shone in the patient's eye. When the patient is looking at the light, a reflection can be seen on the front surface of the pupil. If the eyes are properly aligned with one another, the reflection will be in the same spot of each eye. Therefore, if strabismus is present, the reflection from the light will not be in the same spot of each eye. Laterality Strabismus may be classified as ''unilateral'', ''bilateral'', or ''alternating'' based on whether one eye or both eyes are affected. A unilateral strabismus will consistently have the same eye 'wandering'. Bilateral strabismus is a condition where both eyes are squinting at the same time; either convergently or divergently (both are subtypes of Concomitant strabismus). Finally, an alternating strabismic patient can fixate on a target object with either eye. In this case either eye may be askew while the opposite eye is focused on the target. Optometrists use the cover-uncover test to diagnose various types of tropias, which is a medical term for strabismus. Onset Strabismus may also be classified based on time of onset, either ''congenital'' or ''acquired''. TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT As with other binocular vision disorders, the primary therapeutic goal for those with strabismus is comfortable, single, clear, normal binocular vision at all distances and directions of gaze.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8247489&dopt=Abstract Whereas Amblyopia , if minor and detected early, can often be corrected with use of an Eyepatch on the dominant eye and/or Vision Therapy , the use of eyepatches is unlikely to change the angle of strabismus. Advanced strabismus is usually treated with a combination of Eyeglasses or Prism s, vision therapy, and Surgery , depending on the underlying reason for the misalignment. Surgery attempts to align the eyes by shortening, lengthening, or changing the position of one or more of the extraocular eye muscles and is frequently the only way to achieve cosmetic improvement. Glasses affect the position by changing the person's reaction to focusing. Prisms change the way Light , and therefore images, strike the eye, simulating a change in the eye position. Early treatment of strabismus and/or amblyopia in infancy can reduce the chance of developing amblyopia and depth perception problems. Eyes that remain misaligned can still develop visual problems. Although not a cure for strabismus, prism Lenses can also be used to provide some comfort for sufferers and to prevent double vision from occurring. In Adult s with previously normal alignment, the onset of strabismus usually results in double vision ( Diplopia ). Alternative treatments |
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