Crossed eye is also called as strabismus or walled eye. In this condition, eyes do not align properly under normal conditions. Both eyes are not able to focus on the same object. Whether intermittent or constant, walled eye always requires suitable evaluation and treatment.
Treatment for Crossed Eye
- Use patches: When children suffer from this vision defect, the doctor may ask the patient to wear a patch over that eye that functions normally. It may be for about 6 weeks to 6 months.
It helps to improve the vision and strengthen the weaker eye. - Eye exercises: Orthoptics are special eye exercises that help to stimulate the brain to use both the eyes together. This eliminates double vision. They are more effective when practiced under the guidance of a trained doctor.
One such exercise that can help your eyes to fuse and focus on a single image — Hold a pencil at arm’s length and bring it slowly towards your nose. You will see double image at eight inches away if you have crossed eyes. Keep practicing both eyes focus on the pencil as you slowly bring it towards you. This may result in fusing two images and you can see one image when the pencil is at about 2 inches. - Surgery involving stitches: The doctor may suggest you an operation which involves adjustable stitches, in order to reposition your misaligned eye.
- Wear special spectacles: Some prescribed lenses either inhibit or stimulate the movement of eye muscles. Line of sight can be redirected by using glasses with prisms.
- Penlight test: It is better to treat the misaligned eye at an early stage. But it is not very easy to know if babies have the defect. You can do penlight test to check if your baby has this defect. Children with crossed eye will not show any reflection when penlight is in front of their eye. If this happens, take your child to an ophthalmologist immediately.
