Crossed Eyes

Boy with crossed eyes

Crossed eyes, also known as strabismus, refer to a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. Often times they both turn in, but may also turn out.

What Causes Crossed Eyes?

The six muscles attached to each eye, which control how it moves, receive signals from the brain. These signals direct the eye’s movements. In normal circumstances, the eyes work in an organized fashion so that both point in the same direction at the same time. With crossed eyes, however, the muscles around the eyes do not work together because some are weaker than others. This causes the eyes to turn inward or in the opposite direction of each other.

It is important to have proper eye alignment. Misalignment can cause:

  • Double vision
  • Poor depth perception
  • Poor vision in the turned eye
  • Confusion

When the eyes are askew, the brain receives mixed images from each eye. In the beginning, the person may suffer from double vision and misperception. Over time, the brain becomes trained to ignore the image it receives from the weaker eye. But, if left untreated, the person may permanently lose vision in the weaker eye.

Risk factors for crossed eyes include family history, a considerable amount of uncorrected farsightedness and medical conditions like stroke, head injury, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Though crossed eyes can develop in older children and adults, it typically develops in infants and young children by the age of three. Though babies are commonly affected, some experience a condition called false strabismus or pseudostrabismus, in which their eyes may appear misaligned, but they in fact are aiming at the same direction. This appearance of crossed eyes can be due to having excess skin over the inner corner of the eyes, or a wide bridge of the nose. As the child'face grows, the appearance of crossed eyes diminishes.

Ways to Treat Crossed Eyes

If the child does truly have crossed eyes, it is vital that he or she get treated. While some believe that the condition can be outgrown, it cannot. Crossed eyes can worsen without treatment. If you are the parent of a child who is older than four months and notice that his or her eyes do not appear to be straight at all times, an examination is in order.

In order to diagnose crossed eyes, a comprehensive eye exam will be performed, and it will concentrate on how the eyes focus and move. This may consist of:

  • Visual acuity – reading letters on near and distance reading charts in order to measure and evaluate the degree to which vision is impacted
  • A review of the patient’s family history
  • Refraction – an instrument known as a phoropter is used to conclude the right lens power needed to rectify refractive errors like astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. During the test, a series of lenses are placed in front of the patient’s eyes while a handheld lighted instrument (retinoscope) gauges how they focus light.
  • Focusing and alignment testing to determine how well your eyes move, focus and work in unison.
  • An eye health examination to observe the internal and external structures of the eyes.

The information rendered from these tests will allow your optometrist to develop a treatment plan, which can involve prisms, vision therapy, eyeglasses or eye muscle surgery. If the condition is found and treated early, it can often be corrected with excellent outcomes.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Central Avenue Office

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Arrowhead Road Office

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

See What Our Patients Say!

  • "Theobald is an amazing Eye Care Clinic. The Doctors are so knowledgeable and professional. They are also fun to talk to. I absolutely love Dr. Teresa. She has been my primary eye doctor for several years. I couldn’t be happier with the clinic or their staff. Everyone there is friendly and easy to work with. The eye glass selection is great too."
    Jessica P.
  • "Just wanted to shout out to Theobald Eye Clinic-what an awesome staff you have at the Arrowhead office. My dad brought my uncle, Warren, in to get his prescription for his glasses filled this afternoon. Everything was easy and quick. Everyone is amazing. Love this staff. Very caring and kind."
    Shellie G.
  • "I've really never had a detailed discussion of my eyes before this visit. I was amazed and answered many questions i have had. I felt very comfortable and I'm confident I've found a doc who can be part of my health plan going forward. I had lots of help choosing some cool reading glasses as well!"
    Paul S.
  • "We LOVE Dr. Theobald and all the office staff. We have been going here for 6 years. You can tell they truly care about you."
    Anne M.
  • "I hate picking out glasses and I was so relieved when the staff here made it so easy! They really know how to help you pick glasses that are the right shape for your face so you always look your best. They are not only knowledgeable but have a great selection of glasses to pick from! I could not be happier with the pair they helped me pick out and it was a relief to feel confident in my choice after I left! Thank you Theobald family eye care!"
    Mandi J.
  • "Always a great experience for my entire family. Great selection of frames also."
    Steve S.
  • "We have been seeing Dr. Theobald for about 6 years now and they always treat us very good and take good care of our eyes!"
    Sarah W.
  • "Everyone here is EYEmazing! Accommodating, caring, thoughtful, friendly, kind and knowledgeable. A ++ with kids and adults! We will be back for our next check up! 🕶"
    Alana W.
  • "The Dr's and staff are very helpful and professional. My family has been going here for 8+ years and I recommend them to everyone. They also have a great selection of eyewear for any style."
    Heather B.
  • "I was blown away by the professionalism and courtesy of the staff! highly recommend to everyone!! Thank you so much for giving me and my kid's such amazing service! We can't wait to come back again!"
    Mary M.