What happens when strabismus is not treated in time?

Introduction

Strabismus or squint eye is a condition wherein the eyes are not aligned properly with each other. This means each of the eyes is turned in a different direction while trying to focus on an object. The eyes may either turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards. Basically, the eyes do not work together as a pair all the time. While this seems to be a very common eye condition today, but most squints are observed in young children. Squints can also develop in adults too but that happens for a very different reason which may possibly be due to an accident, or medical condition. In either case, the treatments for the squint eye should be immediate post its detection. It is recommended that the child or the adult having a squint eye must immediately consult the best squint surgeon in Mumbai. This is because, not treating the squint eye, it can have a damaging impact on the vision. So, today let us take a closer look at the impact of non-treatment of squint eye on people.

What happens if strabismus is not treated?

Generally, people believe that children will outgrow strabismus or that it will get better on its own over time. But this is way far from reality. In fact without treatment, strabismus or squint eye can worsen and deteriorate the vision of your eyes. This is especially true for children. If the eyes are not properly aligned and left untreated it may result in signs and symptoms, such as double vision, blurry vision, and difficulty in reading, loss of depth perception, weakness in or around the eyes, eye strain, and frequent headaches. While this just adds up, another major impact and result of non-treatment of squint eye are ending up with Amblyopia or lazy eyes.

What is Amblyopia?

Medically termed as amblyopia and also commonly known as Lazy eyes is impaired or dim vision without showing any obvious signs of a defect in the eye. It is a type of poor vision that occurs in the weaker eye. It basically develops when there is no brain and eye coordination wherein the brain cannot recognize the sight from 1 eye. Over time, the vision in the weaker eye gets worse and results in poor vision. It has been observed that around one-third of children with strabismus or the squint eye end up with amblyopia.

Future outlook for children with squint eyes

Treatments for squint and amblyopia are generally very effective especially when they are detected and treated at a very early age.  If not treated in time then it can have a permanent effect on the vision in one eye. The level of vision in this eye will vary between individuals and some may retain a reasonable level of sight. Most people who have had a squint since childhood that was not treated are totally adapted to having a poorer vision in one eye. Having poor vision in one eye can reduce depth perception that can lead to difficulties with judging distances and activities navigating steps. It is best that a squint eye specialist in Mumbai is consulted for the right treatment to address the squint eye issue and prevent any further damage to the eyes.