What is it?

A misalignment of the eye muscles causing a loss of coordination between the eyes. The eye could turn in, out, up or down.

Who does it affect?

Some people are born with an eye muscle problem. Many times it is inherited in some families. Strabismus can also be acquired through injury or disease.

How is it treated?

Treatment varies depending on the cause and symptoms of the patient. In patients born with strabismus, there is a risk of the eye becoming "lazy", or amblyopic unless corrected at an early age. Surgery or vision therapy may be necessary to straighten the eyes and prevent amblyopia. The eyes function well in some cases without surgery, but the patient wants the problem surgically corrected for cosmetic reasons.