Symptoms and Signs to identify Crossed Eyes in a baby

Crossed eyes are also called Strabismus, a condition in which both eyes do not line up properly. The individual having this condition will have each eye focusing on different objects and in different directions. The disorder is common in children, affecting children below 6 years. Causes of this condition is not known, but it tends to generally run in families.

Crossed eyes can also occur for adults, mostly due to factors like brain tumor, retina damage, diabetes, or a stroke. Crossed eyes can usually be corrected with eyeglasses and / or surgery.

Types of Crossed Eyes

Two types of crossed eyes are commonly seen in children. One appears in infancy and the other develops as a child grows older.

Crossed eyes that appears in babies during their first year of life is known as Infantile Esotropia. One eye may cross more often than the other. It typically runs in families and usually requires surgery to correct.

Acquired Esotropia occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 5 and can usually be corrected with eyeglasses.

Causes of Crossed Eyes

Main causes for crossed eyes to develop is when the numerous muscles around the eyes do not work in conjunction because some are weaker than others. When the brain receives a different visual message from each eye, it ignores the one coming from the weaker eye. If the condition of the weaker eye is not corrected, you may lose site with time.

Crossed eyes can also occur later in life and is also triggered by physical disorders such as a brain tumor or an eye injury. If you have a lazy eye or are farsighted, it is also possible to develop crossed eyes as an adult because your eyes must strain in order to focus on objects. People with brain or nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy are more likely to have strabismus.

Symptoms and Signs of Crossed Eyes

Crossed eyes condition is common for newborn babies, but if it persists beyond 3 months of age, it is best to see a doctor

Symptoms may be constant or appear only when you are tired or not feeling well. Your eyes might point inward or outward or focus in different directions. Other symptoms noticed are impaired vision, losing depth perception and having double vision.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Crossed eyes

If you observe symptoms of crossed eyes, consult the doctor and follow recommendations.

Early diagnosis of crossed eyes is important for preventing vision loss. In young children, it is best to have an eye examination before 3 years. If other physical symptoms appear along with crossed eyes, your doctor may examine your brain and nervous system for the presence of other conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Treatment for Crossed eyes depends on its severity and cause. If you have developed a lazy eye, you might need to wear a patch over your stronger eye to force the muscles of your weaker eye to work harder. Other common treatments include eye glasses, surgery, eye exercises and eye drops.

A big relief for parents is that crossed eye can be treated quickly if identified in childhood. Be alert with your babies and make corrections on time.

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