Strabismus (Eye Turn) in Austin, TX
Strabismus — commonly called an eye turn, crossed eyes, or wall eyes — is a condition in which the two eyes do not point in the same direction at the same time. One eye may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia), either constantly or intermittently. Strabismus affects approximately 4% of children and can also develop in adults following stroke, head injury, or neurological disease. At Freedom Eye Care in Austin, TX, we evaluate and manage strabismus as part of our comprehensive pediatric eye care, and we coordinate referrals for surgical or advanced vision therapy intervention when needed.
Book OnlineWhat Causes Strabismus?
Normal binocular vision depends on precise coordination between the six extraocular muscles that move each eye. When these muscles are imbalanced — due to neurological differences, unequal muscle strength or tension, uncorrected significant farsightedness (accommodative esotropia), or other factors — the eyes cannot maintain alignment. In children, the brain responds to misalignment by suppressing the image from the deviated eye to avoid double vision, which can lead to amblyopia in the turned eye if left untreated. In adults who develop strabismus after a lifetime of normal binocular vision, double vision (diplopia) is typically the primary symptom because the brain does not adapt as readily.
Strabismus is not caused by weakness in character or laziness — it is a neurological and muscular condition requiring professional evaluation and treatment. A comprehensive eye exam at Freedom Eye Care that includes cover testing, ocular motility evaluation, and binocular vision assessment will determine the type, frequency, and magnitude of the misalignment.
Treatment Options for Strabismus
Treatment for strabismus depends on the type, cause, and severity of the misalignment, as well as the patient’s age and whether amblyopia is present. Options include:
- Glasses or Contact Lenses: For accommodative esotropia — an inward eye turn caused by uncorrected farsightedness — the correct glasses prescription often fully resolves or substantially reduces the turn by eliminating the excessive focusing effort that drives the inward deviation.
- Prism Lenses: Prism incorporated into glasses redirects light to help the brain fuse the images from both eyes, reducing or eliminating double vision in patients with smaller angle deviations.
- Amblyopia Treatment: When strabismus has caused amblyopia in the turned eye, patching or atropine therapy is used to restore vision in the weaker eye before or alongside strabismus treatment.
- Vision Therapy: A program of structured visual exercises designed to improve eye coordination, focusing, and binocular fusion — most effective for intermittent or convergence-related strabismus.
- Surgical Correction (Referral): When non-surgical options are insufficient, strabismus surgery adjusts the tension of the extraocular muscles to improve alignment. Freedom Eye Care coordinates referrals to trusted pediatric ophthalmologists in Austin, TX for surgical evaluation and co-manages care before and after surgery.
If you notice an eye turn in your child — or if you are an adult experiencing new double vision — call Freedom Eye Care at (512) 916-4600 or book an evaluation online promptly. Early evaluation is always the right step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strabismus in Austin, TX
Is strabismus the same as amblyopia?
Strabismus and amblyopia are related but distinct conditions. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye caused by the brain suppressing input from that eye — and strabismus is one of the leading causes of amblyopia. A child can have strabismus without amblyopia (if the brain alternates between the two eyes) or can develop amblyopia as a result of the strabismus. Both conditions are evaluated at Freedom Eye Care as part of every pediatric eye exam.
Will strabismus resolve on its own in infants?
Intermittent outward drifting (intermittent exotropia) in newborns up to about 3–4 months of age is common and often resolves as the visual and neurological systems mature. However, a consistent inward or outward turn that persists beyond 4 months of age — or any vertical misalignment at any age — warrants prompt evaluation. A constant eye turn in an infant should never be assumed to be normal or expected to self-correct without professional assessment.
Can adults develop strabismus?
Yes. Adults can develop strabismus as a result of stroke, head trauma, neurological disease (such as multiple sclerosis or thyroid eye disease), or decompensation of a previously controlled childhood strabismus. Adult-onset strabismus typically causes double vision because the adult brain does not suppress images as readily as a child’s brain. Evaluation at Freedom Eye Care determines the cause and most appropriate management approach, which may include prism glasses or surgical referral.
How successful is strabismus surgery?
Strabismus surgery achieves good alignment in the majority of patients, though more than one procedure is sometimes needed for optimal results — particularly for larger deviations or complex patterns of misalignment. Surgery improves cosmetic alignment and may restore binocular vision if the visual system was previously using both eyes together. Long-term outcomes are best when surgery is coordinated with amblyopia treatment and appropriate glasses correction. Freedom Eye Care provides pre- and post-surgical co-management for all strabismus surgery patients.
Can strabismus come back after it has been treated?
Yes, recurrence is possible after both surgical and non-surgical treatment. This is why ongoing monitoring at Freedom Eye Care is important even after successful treatment. Some children require adjustments to their glasses prescription as they grow, or additional intervention if the alignment drifts over time. Annual comprehensive eye exams ensure any changes are detected and addressed promptly.
Will my child need surgery for strabismus?
Not necessarily. Many cases of strabismus — particularly accommodative esotropia driven by farsightedness — respond well to glasses alone. Vision therapy is effective for certain types of intermittent strabismus. Surgery is considered when glasses and non-surgical approaches cannot achieve adequate alignment. At Freedom Eye Care, we take the most conservative evidence-based approach to strabismus management and discuss all options with families before recommending any intervention.