What causes strabismus in children?
Disease description:
Recently, I have noticed that my 5-year-old child often has crossed eyes, especially when concentrating on looking at objects or playing with toys. This situation has made me somewhat concerned. I don't know what causes children to have crossed eyes.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
Children's crossed eyes are usually caused by the underdevelopment of the eye muscle coordination ability, a phenomenon commonly seen in early childhood. As children's eyes and visual system develop, they need to gradually learn how to work together, so occasional crossed eyes are not necessarily a serious problem. However, if the crossed eyes occur frequently or persist for a prolonged period, they might be related to refractive errors, strabismus, or other eye diseases. Some cases may also be influenced by genetic factors. Parents should carefully observe their child's daily behavior to detect any potential issues early.
It is recommended to pay attention to children's eye habits, avoid prolonged close-up viewing of electronic screens or books, and increase outdoor activity time appropriately, which can help promote visual development. If the crossed eyes do not improve as the child grows older, or if accompanied by symptoms such as blurred vision or squinting, parents should take the child to a reputable hospital's ophthalmology department for examination as early as possible. The doctor will conduct a professional evaluation based on the specific situation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan, such as prescribing glasses, performing eye muscle exercises, or surgical correction.
