Strabismus is not a laughing matter

• April 25, 2024

In Mexico, 4% of children under 6 years of age, that is, more than 600 thousand children, suffer from squint . And along with this visual defect, the mockery and commiseration of the people.

Strabismus is not the result of a bad wind or squint when you are small; it does not cure itself either.

It is a disorder that if not properly treated before the age of 7 is reached, may cause the loss of more than 50% of the vision in the affected eye or eyes.

The main causes
The causes of strabismus are diverse: from nerve injuries o eye muscles caused by infections, tumors or bumps; brain disorders caused by a strong blow; family background; by cataract surgery or retinal detachment, or even by an incorrect graduation of glasses.

According to the Conde de Valenciana Foundation Ophthalmology Institute, strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned, it can affect about 5% of the general population, begins in childhood and, if it is not taken care of, it can exist for life.

In the vast majority of cases, surgery is recommended and consists of modifying the action of the muscles responsible for mobilizing the eyeball.

Treatments for childhood strabismus

The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) through the Ophthalmology Service of the Pediatrics Hospital of the National Medical Center Siglo XXI, treats this condition in minors from the 3 months old . Depending on the magnitude or causes of strabismus, they are used different treatments .

Some children need to wear glasses with graduation; others, do occlusion exercises to align the affected eye and only those small ones that have strabismus by inheritance , injections of botulinum toxin (botox) are applied.

This treatment is ideal for children under 2 years of age and involves the administration of small doses to cause a transient paralysis of the muscle surrounding the eye and correct the deviation.

It is normal for many babies to have one or both eyes misaligned until almost three months of age. What is not normal is that the defect persists.

Therefore, parents should be very attentive to certain signs, for example, the obvious deviation from one or both eyes, which can be vertical or horizontal, blurred or double vision, or the inclination of the head with the intention of seeing better or stop seeing double.

Timely medical attention and not laughter, is the difference between a full life and self-esteem.

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