Stopping eye turning, a condition known as strabismus or eye misalignment, typically involves professional medical treatment. As described by Cleveland Clinic, strabismus is a condition where one eye looks in a different direction from the other, commonly seen in children but also affecting adults.
Treatment aims to straighten the eyes and improve vision. The approach depends on the cause and severity of the strabismus.
Treatment Options for Eye Turning
Based on the reference provided by Cleveland Clinic, several treatment methods may be used to address strabismus:
- Glasses: Corrective eyeglasses are often the first step, especially if the eye turning is related to refractive errors like farsightedness. Glasses can help the eyes focus properly and sometimes correct the alignment.
- Patching: This involves covering the stronger eye to encourage the weaker, turned eye to work harder. Patching is particularly effective in treating amblyopia (lazy eye), which often occurs alongside strabismus in children.
- Eye Exercises: Specific exercises, sometimes called vision therapy, can help improve eye coordination and focusing. These are typically prescribed and supervised by an eye care professional.
- Medication: In some cases, medications like botulinum toxin (Botox) may be injected into the eye muscles to temporarily relax them and improve alignment. This can be used diagnostically or therapeutically.
- Surgery: If other treatments are unsuccessful, surgery on the eye muscles may be necessary to change their length or position, helping to realign the eyes permanently.
It's crucial to consult with an ophthalmologist or an eye care specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for strabismus. Self-treating or delaying professional evaluation can potentially worsen the condition or lead to long-term vision problems.
