Does a child with slightly crossed eyes need surgery?

　　If a child's eyeball appears slightly deviated and there are no other abnormalities, surgery usually is not required. However, if the strabismus persists and affects eye function, surgery might be necessary. Parents are advised to take the child to the hospital promptly for a thorough eye examination, and then follow the doctor's recommendations for appropriate interventions. Here is a detailed analysis:

　　If a child's eyeball is slightly deviated and the condition is diagnosed as mild strabismus without accompanying serious vision problems or eye diseases, surgical treatment typically is not required. Parents can have the child wear glasses or employ vision therapy methods such as monocular training and eye muscle exercises to enhance the eyes' regulatory ability and coordination, which may help alleviate the symptoms of strabismus.

　　If the strabismus persists and shows signs of worsening, affecting the child's appearance, social interaction, or psychological development, surgical correction might be necessary. Strabismus can prevent both eyes from focusing on the same object simultaneously, impairing depth perception and stereoscopic vision, which might require surgical intervention to improve binocular coordination.

　　Strabismus may affect a child's self-confidence and social abilities; therefore, parents should pay attention to their child's psychological state and provide timely encouragement and support.