CAUSES OF SQUINT

General

There are several possible causes of a squint.
The fact that strabismus is common in some families suggests that there is a genetic predisposition to the disease. Thus, strabismus is inheritable.

If one of the parents is cross-eyed or has cross-eyed before, the child should be examined by an ophthalmologist for signs of cross-eyed eyes during the first twelve months. Often, however, the squint remains an isolated case in the family, from which both girls and boys can be affected equally. Complications between the 24th week of pregnancy and the 7th day of life after the birth can also cause strabismus in the child.

Usually the causes can be found in the eye itself, e.g. B.

congenital unequal refractive errors,

unilateral clouding of the lens of the eye,

Tumors in the eye or injuries.

Squinting does not have to be visible immediately after birth, even with congenital causes, but can only show up over time. If there is a congenital refractive error, the squint occurs when the child begins to fixate more precisely. The child only uses the better functioning eye and the weaker eye develops increasingly poor eyesight as a result. This can be prevented by specifically training the diseased eye through ophthalmological measures, for example by taping the stronger eye.

An "acquired" misalignment sometimes occurs suddenly, e.g. B.

with childhood illnesses,

if you have a high fever,

after accidents - such as concussion,

Lens opacification or retinal detachment

However, it can also develop in severe mental crises.

Causes of strabismus in brief

Family background

Effects of pregnancy, difficult birth (premature birth)

no or incorrectly corrected ametropia

other eye diseases

Flu / severe cold