If you or your child has an eye that turns, drifts, or simply will not line up with the other, you are not alone, and you are not stuck with it. Strabismus, often called crossed or misaligned eyes, is common and can appear at any age. Many people assume little can be done, but that is no longer true. With today's treatments and surgical techniques, we can realign the eyes for the great majority of patients, often restoring comfortable, single, well-aligned vision and the confidence that comes with it.
In adults, a turned eye can cause double vision and a wandering eye that feels self-conscious at work, while driving, or in social settings. The encouraging truth is that this is very fixable: realigning the eyes can restore binocular vision and the depth perception you rely on to move through the world safely. Because a new eye turn in an adult can sometimes point to an underlying medical issue, we always take the time to examine you carefully and make sure nothing more serious is going on, so you can feel confident you are in good hands.
Strabismus can take several forms, depending on which direction the eye turns. Knowing the type guides the right treatment:
Each eye is moved by six small muscles. Strabismus develops when those muscles, or the nerves that control them, do not work together as a coordinated team, so the eyes point in slightly different directions and the brain receives two mismatched images. Common contributors include a family history of eye turns, a significant uncorrected refractive error (especially farsightedness), and certain conditions present at birth.
In adults, a new eye turn can follow a stroke, thyroid eye disease, diabetes, a head injury, or another neurological condition. Because sudden double vision in an adult can be the first sign of an underlying medical problem, it should always be evaluated promptly.
Strabismus can be obvious or subtle. Signs to watch for include:
In children, the developing brain often suppresses the image from the misaligned eye to avoid seeing double. That may sound harmless, but it can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) and permanent vision loss if it is not treated during the critical years of visual development. The earlier childhood strabismus is treated, the better the result.
Adults do not suppress the second image the way children do, so adult strabismus usually causes bothersome double vision that can affect driving, reading, work, and confidence. The reassuring news is that adult strabismus is very treatable at any age, and realigning the eyes often restores comfortable single vision and depth perception. Many patients tell us they only wish they had addressed it sooner.
Amblyopia, often called lazy eye, is one of the biggest reasons to catch strabismus early. In a young child, the brain is still learning to see, and it needs clear, matching images from both eyes to develop properly. When one eye is misaligned, the brain quietly begins to ignore its image to avoid seeing double, and over time the vision in that eye can fail to develop. After the early childhood window, that loss can become permanent. The encouraging part is that when amblyopia is caught early, treatment is simple, very effective, and usually inexpensive, which is exactly why a timely eye exam matters so much.
Treatment is tailored to the type and cause of the misalignment, your age, and your goals. Many patients do beautifully with non-surgical care, while others benefit from surgery:
When glasses, prisms, and other measures are not enough, strabismus surgery gently repositions the eye muscles to bring the eyes back into alignment. It is a same-day procedure, and most patients are back to their normal routine within a few days. Dr. Mudgil performs strabismus surgery for both children and adults.
For many adults, and for patients who have had previous eye-muscle surgery, we offer adjustable suture surgery. The muscle is secured with a special temporary knot, and a short time after the operation, while you are awake and comfortable, Dr. Mudgil can fine-tune the eye's position to achieve the most precise alignment possible. This extra step often improves accuracy and reduces the chance of needing a second procedure.
True strabismus does not resolve on its own, and waiting can allow amblyopia to set in. A newborn's eyes may occasionally drift in the first few months, but any eye that consistently turns after about 4 months of age should be examined.
Absolutely. It is a myth that adults are too old to fix an eye turn. Adults often regain comfortable single vision, better depth perception, and real confidence after treatment, with no upper age limit.
Strabismus surgery is one of the most common and well-established eye procedures and is performed as same-day surgery. As with any procedure it carries some risk, which we review with you in detail, but serious complications are rare and most patients are delighted with the outcome.
In most cases, yes. Realigning the eyes restores binocular vision so the brain receives a single, matching image, and adjustable sutures help us fine-tune the result for the best possible outcome.
At Mudgil Eye Associates, PC, we specialize in treating both adult strabismus and pediatric strabismus. Dr. Mudgil is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained expert in Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus. He has received national recognition for his research and expertise in treating eye muscle disorders that cause double vision in children and adults. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to restoring proper eye alignment and preventing long-term vision problems. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Mudgil at Mudgil Eye Associates today.
