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Squint eye is one of the most common conditions in babies. Strabismus is very common, especially in newborn babies. So, what are the signs of eye drift in babies? When does strabismus pass and how is it treated? Let’s find out!

What is a crossed eye (strabismus)?
Crossed eyes are popularly known as strabismus. It is the situation where the two eyes of a person looking straight ahead are not at the same level.
In strabismus, sometimes one eye and sometimes both eyes can slide outward. When it is desired to follow an object with the eyes, the two eyes do not move parallel to each other.
What causes drooping eyes in babies?
Why do babies’ eyes squint? Let’s explain briefly.
Imbalance in the muscles that keep the eyes in the correct position causes eye roll in babies.
- Genetic predisposition,
- head trauma,
- Transfer,
- febrile diseases,
- Hydrocephalus ,
- Cerebral palsy ,
- Strabismus may also occur in babies after situations that will trigger the visual center in the brain, such as premature birth .
Also;
- Defect of vision,
- eye injury,
- Conditions such as the development of cataracts can also cause strabismus.
However, some of the eye shifts seen in babies may also be false strabismus. Due to the width of the eyelids and nasal root, it may seem as if the baby’s eye is slipping. You may need to have your baby’s eyes examined to clarify this.
What is false strabismus?
Some children appear to be cross-eyed due to the structure of their faces, but in reality their eyes are level. This condition is called false strabismus. The child’s vision is not affected in this case, and this appearance improves as the nose bridge becomes more pronounced as he grows.
How to detect strabismus in babies?
How to detect eye drift in babies?
- Slipping in one or both eyes
- When following an object with the eyes, the two eyes do not move in coordination with each other.
In addition to these, the symptoms of eye drift in children include;
- eye watering,
- Pain,
- trembling in the eyes,
- double vision,
- Headache,
- blurred vision,
- The disappearance of the three-dimensional image,
- Head or face turned to one side.
Is it normal to droop in newborn babies?
Newborn babies may have squints in their eyes. However, the baby learns to move his eyes together in a few weeks, and these deviations disappear within a few months.
If this continues or your baby’s eyes don’t turn the same way, you should see a pediatric ophthalmologist. Because this may be an indication of strabismus in babies and it is important to notice it in the early period for its correction.
How long does itchy eye last in babies?
Most of the mothers who have strabismus in their child seek an answer to the question of when does the strabismus in babies go away or when is it normal for babies to have strabismus ? There is a misconception among the people that the eye shift in infancy will improve over time. This is caused by the disappearance of the condition called false strabismus as the child grows up. However, droopy eyes in children never get better on their own.
In such cases, the child must be taken to the ophthalmologist for a correct diagnosis. If you have a family history of disorders such as strabismus or lazy eye, you should be even more sensitive. It would be beneficial to show your child to an ophthalmologist at the age of 1-2 years. It is very important for every child to have an eye examination up to the age of 3.
How to treat eye drift in babies?
In order to enable the eyes to focus on an object, eye shift exercises alone are not enough for babies. Therefore, the treatment of strabismus in infants usually includes glasses, eye drops, closure and surgical interventions.
How is eye shift surgery performed in babies? If the baby needs it, the eye shift surgery is performed between 6-18 months. This operation is generally safe and effective. However, the operation may be performed more than once and the baby may need to wear glasses after the surgical intervention.
If there is a misalignment in only one eye, in addition to glasses and surgery, eye closure treatment is also applied in babies. Eye closure treatment is necessary to increase the degree of vision of the lazy eye. If there is a shift in both eyes, it can be waited until the age of 5-6 for surgery.
What happens if the treatment of strabismus is delayed in babies?
Drooling in infants occurs in 4 out of every 100 children. Early diagnosis and intervention are very important in the treatment of strabismus. If the eye shift in babies is not treated, the ability of children to use both eyes at the same time will not develop. This can also cause lazy eye.
In addition, if you encounter a situation such as sudden eye shift in your child, you should immediately notify your doctor. Because although this is rare, it may indicate tumor development or a serious nervous system problem.