$Unique_ID{BRK00153}
$Pretitle{Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{Can You Fix "Crossed Eyes"?}
$Subject{eyes crossed treatment}
$Volume{F-21}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can You Fix "Crossed Eyes"?


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QUESTION:  We have got a young one whose eye turns in.  It doesn't seem to
trouble her, she sees good, and doesn't have any pain that we can tell.  We
have heard tell that this condition will get better by itself.  Do you think
there is anything we have to do to fix it?

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ANSWER:  You have described a condition that doctors call "strabismus" and
that some people call "crossed eyes".  It happens when the two eyes point in
different directions, and is a common condition in that about 4% of children
suffer with the problem It takes six muscles attached to each eye to control
all there movements, and when they don't work together, strabismus is the
result.  Unless both eyes do work together, humans lose the ability to see in
three dimensions, they lose depth perception.  With each eye seeing a
different picture, the patients sees double, and soon stops using one eye,
which becomes weaker and maybe permanently damaged.  This condition is known
as "amblyopia".  The fact is that there are many causes for strabismus, and it
is important to determine the cause and correct it quickly.  The longer you
wait, that harder it is to get the eyes straightened out.  One thing for sure,
the condition will NOT go away by itself, as children do not outgrow
strabismus.  It really is important to have the child checked now by your
family doctor or eyedoctor.  It is never too early.  Their goal will be to
straighten out the eyes and restore vision to both of them.  There are several
ways this may be accomplished, the treatment depending upon the cause.
Glasses may be part of the answer, and patching the strong eye may be useful.
Surgery may be needed, and there are times when both eyes may require the
operation.  And there are even circumstances where more than one operation is
needed to achieve that final, wished for outcome.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
