Strabismus (Eye Misalignment)
Strabismus Resources
Strabismus resources for Patients
Clear, practical guidance to help you prepare for consultations, understand treatment options, and feel confident in your decisions.
Strabismus resources for Healthcare Professionals
Information for optometrists and referring doctors, including referral considerations and collaborative care.
How to use this Strabismus guide
This page provides an overview of strabismus and links to more detailed information on each aspect of the condition.
You can use this guide to:
- Understand how eye alignment affects visual coordination
- Recognise when eye positioning may not be normal
- Learn about factors that contribute to strabismus
- Explore how the condition is assessed, managed and monitored
This guide is designed to help you navigate the condition clearly and understand the importance of timely evaluation and ongoing care.
Strabismus (Eye Misalignment) Overview
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not aligned in the same direction at the same time. One eye may focus straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward or downward. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and may vary in degree.
Normal vision relies on both eyes working together to focus on the same point, allowing the brain to combine the images into a single, clear view. In strabismus, this coordination is disrupted, and the brain receives two different visual inputs. Over time, this can affect how visual information is processed and integrated.
Strabismus is often related to how the eye muscles are controlled rather than a structural problem within the eye itself. The condition can develop during early childhood when the visual system is still maturing, but it may also occur later in life.
The impact of strabismus varies depending on how frequently the misalignment occurs and how the brain adapts to it. Understanding how the condition affects eye coordination is important in recognising its effect on overall visual function.
When to seek assesment
Assessment is recommended if you or your child has an eye that appears to turn inward, outward, upward or downward, even if it occurs only occasionally. Signs such as inconsistent eye alignment, difficulty focusing, squinting, tilting the head, or closing one eye to see more clearly should also be evaluated.
If you are concerned about eye alignment or visual coordination, schedule a consultation with Dr Cronjé Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon | FC Ophth (SA) | MBChB (Pret) | Dip Ophth (SA) for expert evaluation and personalised care.