Strabismus is the medical term that describes when the eyes are not aligned and point in different directions. This condition is relatively common, affecting about 2–3% of people to some extent. It’s often easiest to think about strabismus regarding whether the misalignment is horizontal or vertical.
Strabismus Queens & Nassau County
An Adult Journey with Strabismus Surgery | The Pediatric Eye Center
When Does Strabismus Appear?
Strabismus may be noticeable all the time (tropia), only under certain conditions, such as fatigue, illness, or specific testing (phoria), or somewhere in between (intermittent tropia). For example, a person might have an esophoria, where the eyes turn inward toward the nose only when tired; an intermittent esotropia, where the eyes occasionally turn inward on their own; or an esotropia, where the inward turn is constant.
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What’s Behind Your Child’s Abnormal Head Position (AHP)?
Dr. Lichtenstein wants to know why your child’s head is positioned abnormally. To find out, he’ll perform a full eye exam and specialized tests to clarify what’s going on. He may also place a patch on one eye, noting if the AHP improves. Together, these findings help us determine whether a specific eye condition is behind an AHP.
Strabismus FAQs
Is strabismus painful?
Strabismus itself is not typically painful. Most children and adults with the condition do not report eye pain, though some notice eye strain, headaches, or fatigue, particularly when the misalignment is intermittent and their visual system is constantly working to compensate.
Can strabismus get worse over time?
It can, depending on the type and underlying cause. Some forms stay stable for years. Others progress without treatment. Either way, tracking the condition over time allows for timely intervention before things become harder to correct.
Does wearing glasses fix strabismus?
Sometimes, yes. With accommodative esotropia, the inward eye turn is driven by the effort of focusing, and the right glasses prescription can reduce or eliminate it entirely. For other types of strabismus, glasses help with vision but do not correct the alignment on their own.
If strabismus is treated, will my child's vision go back to normal on its own?
Not necessarily. Correcting the eye turn fixes the alignment, but it does not automatically restore vision in an eye the brain has already learned to suppress. If amblyopia has developed, it needs its own treatment, typically patching or glasses, separate from whatever is done to address the alignment. That is why a thorough evaluation looks at both issues together.
Is strabismus surgery performed under general anesthesia?
Yes. Strabismus surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so patients are fully asleep. This applies to children and adults alike. The procedure itself typically takes less than an hour, and patients go home the same day.
How many surgeries might my child need?
Some children get excellent results from one procedure. Others may need a second surgery as they grow and their visual system continues to mature. Dr. Lichtenstein will walk through realistic expectations at your consultation based on your child's specific type of strabismus.
What is the recovery like after strabismus surgery?
Expect some redness and mild discomfort for a week or two. Vision may be slightly blurry at first. Most kids are back at school within a few days, and activity restrictions are usually minimal. Full healing takes several weeks, and follow-up appointments are important for checking that alignment is holding.
Will my child need glasses or patching after surgery?
Surgery addresses the physical alignment of the eyes. It does not treat amblyopia. If amblyopia is present, patching or glasses may still be part of the plan after surgery. Dr. Lichtenstein looks at both issues together and builds a treatment approach that covers all of it.
Does strabismus run in families?
It can. There is a hereditary component to strabismus, and children with a parent or sibling who has had it are at higher risk. That said, having a family history does not mean a child will definitely develop the condition, and many children with strabismus have no family history at all. If eye misalignment runs in your family, earlier screening is a smart call.
