Strabismus is a condition characterized by misaligned or crossed eyes, caused by an imbalance in the eye muscles. While the brain typically controls all the eye muscles to move the eyes in different directions, the brain can sometimes inexplicably lose control. It can lead to double vision, reduced depth perception, and potential vision problems if not treated. Timely intervention is crucial as untreated strabismus can result in amblyopia (lazy eye) and lifelong visual complications. Treatment, which may involve patching, glasses, or in some cases, surgery, aims to realign the eyes and restore proper vision, preventing long-term vision issues and supporting healthy visual development.

While this may frequently be seen and handled in children, adults can also develop strabismus for a variety of reasons. Anyone with a history of trauma to the eye or head, surgery around the eye area, stroke, thyroid disease, or myasthenia gravis are all at risk for developing strabismus. It is imperative to see an ophthalmologist to monitor how much the eyes are misaligned and to seek treatment options including prism glasses and possibly surgery.