General information
There are several possible causes for strabismus. The fact that strabismus is more common in some families suggests that there is a genetic predisposition to the disease. Therefore strabismus is hereditary.
If one parent squints or has squinted earlier, the child should be examined by an ophthalmologist for signs of strabismus within the first twelve months. However, strabismus often remains an isolated case in the family, which can affect both girls and boys equally. Complications between the 24th week of pregnancy and the 7th day of life after birth can also cause strabismus in the child.
In most cases, the causes can be found on the eye itself, e.g. strabismus does not have to be visible immediately after birth, even in the case of congenital causes, but can only become apparent over time. If there is a congenital refractive error, strabismus occurs when the child begins to fixate more precisely. The child uses only the better functioning eye and the weaker eye increasingly develops a visual impairment as a result.
This can be prevented by ophthalmologic measures to specifically train the diseased eye, for example by masking the stronger eye. An “acquired” malposition sometimes occurs suddenly, but it can also develop during severe mental crises.
- Congenital laterally uneven refractive errors,
- Unilateral opacity of the eye lens,
- Tumors in the eye or even injuries.
- For children’s diseases,
- For high fever,
- After accidents – such as concussion,
- Lens opacity or retinal detachment,
Causes of strabismus in brief
- Family history
- Pregnancy influences, difficult birth (premature birth)
- Non-corrected or incorrectly corrected defective vision
- Other eye diseases
- Flu/strong cold
- Childhood diseases with high fever
- Organic diseases
- Cataract (clouding of the lens, cataract) in childhood
- As a side effect of certain drugs (e.g. against epilepsy: Ergenyl, Lamictal)
- Tumors
- Stroke
- Eye muscle paralysis
- Accidents (e.g. concussion)
- Severe psychological strain
