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Exotropia
Exotropia, or an
outward turning eye, is another common type of
strabismus. This occurs most often when a child is focusing
on distant objects.
Often the exotropia will occur intermittently, particularly when the
child is
daydreaming, ill, or tired. Parents
often notice that the
child squints one eye
in bright sunlight.
Although glasses, exercises
or prisms may reduce or help control the outward turning eye in some
children,
surgery is often needed.
Strabismus Surgery
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The eyeball is never
removed from the socket during any kind of eye surgery. Strabismus
surgery involves making a small incision in the tissue covering the eye
which allows the ophthalmologist access to the underlying eye muscles.
Which eye muscles are repositioned during the surgery depends upon the
direction the eye
is turning. It may
be necessary to perform
surgery on one or both eyes.
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When strabismus
surgery is performed on children, a general anesthetic is required.
Local anesthesia is an option for adults.
r Early surgery is recommended to correct strabismus because younger infants can develop normal sight and binocular vision once the eyes are straightened. As a child gets older, the chance of developing normal sight and binocular vision decreases.
Crossed eyes can also have a negative effect on a child's self-confidence.
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As with any surgery,
eye muscle surgery has certain risks. These include infection, bleeding,
excessive scarring, and other rare
complications that
can lead to loss of
vision. However,
strabismus surgery is usually a safe and effective treatment for eye
misalignment. It is not, however, a substitute
for glasses or amblyopia therapy.
Summary
r Treatment for strabismus is
most effective when the child is young.
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Cosmetic
straightening of the eyes
remains possible at
any age.
r
Treatment for
strabismus may be non
surgical and include eye drops,
exercises, or
glasses.
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If surgical
treatment is indicated, the
earlier in life it is
done, the better
chance the child has
of developing
normal binocular
vision.