Q: Good evening, Doctor. Is there any cure for strabismus in Nigeria?

A: Strabismus (also called crossed eyes or squint) is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned when looking at an object. In this condition, as one eye looks forward, the other eye may turn upwards or downwards or look inwards. Strabismus could be congenital (where the child is born with it) or could develop before the age of 5 years. In these instances, it could happen as the child tries to deal with long or short-sightedness. It can also be seen for the first time in adults and would usually be due to an underlying disease condition like stroke.

Strabismus can lead to double vision in adults or lazy eye in children as they try to suppress vision from the affected eye. The head may be tilted in abnormal positions as they try to focus.

What is the treatment? It is important that treatment is started as soon as possible to preserve vision. Treatment could very well just be eye glasses…remember that thus condition could be due to long or short-sightedness; conditions amenable to eye glasses 🙂

Another treatment option is the use of eye patches to ‘force’ the child to use the lazy eye 😀

Surgery may also be an option to tighten the muscles allowing the eye to ‘wander’.

Speak with your doctor about the treatment option that would work best for you. The first two options are, of course, available in Nigeria 😀 If surgery is needed and is not available in your center, he will be able to let you know what center would offer the procedure in the country.

I hope y’all had a great day!

Have an extra special good night sleep 😀