Early Detection Crucial for Strabismus, Experts Urge Public Awareness

Public understanding of strabismus, or crossed eyes, remains limited, with many viewing it as a mere cosmetic concern or believing it will self-correct with age. However, strabismus is a genuine medical condition requiring timely diagnosis and treatment.

This misalignment of the eyes can affect anyone, young or old. If left untreated, it can significantly impair vision, leading to a loss of three-dimensional sight, difficulty judging distances, and more severe issues like amblyopia, commonly known as a lazy eye. Therefore, early detection is paramount to averting these negative consequences.

Symptoms can be constant or intermittent, appearing when a person is tired, drowsy, daydreaming, or unwell. Some types of strabismus are not apparent during daily activities and can only be identified through detailed eye examinations. Parents are urged to monitor their children's eye development closely. While temporary misalignment in infants can be due to immature eye-nerve coordination, persistent misalignment after six months warrants a consultation with an eye specialist.

"Crossed eyes are not just an aesthetic issue, but a medical condition that needs examination. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance for the child to receive appropriate management and achieve better results," stated Tjahjono D. Gondhowiardjo, Director of Development and Education at JEC Group and an ophthalmologist. Early diagnosis allows doctors to pinpoint the exact cause, which can include issues with eye muscles, nerves, genetics, or uncorrected refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

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Crossed eyes are not just an aesthetic issue, but a medical condition that needs examination. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance for the child to receive appropriate management and achieve better results.