Treating Strabismus, Amblyopia, and other Eye Alignment Problems – Minneapolis and Surrounding Areas
Misalignment of the eyes, including conditions such as strabismus ("crossed eyes"), amblyopia ("lazy eye" or "eye drifting"), can cause cosmetic and functional problems and significantly decrease one's self esteem. Fortunately, with proper treatment, patients can often enjoy improved vision and restored self confidence. Northwest Eye provides advanced treatment for eye alignment problems, including strabismus and amblyopia, for patients in Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minneapolis, and as well as surrounding communities throughout the Twin Cities area. (We treat both adult and pediatric eye misalignment.) Our team's expertise and compassionate approach also attracts patients from all over the globe seeking the best in eye care. If you are suffering from misalignment of the eyes, contact Northwest Eye today to learn more about how we can help.
Strabismus
Strabismus, or eye misalignment, affects both children and adults. The condition is characterized by a lack of coordination between the eyes, resulting in the appearance of "crossed eyes" (esotropia) or turned out eyes (exotropia). The condition also causes visual problems (most often double vision, vision in only one eye, and diminished depth perception), since it prevents the eyes from focusing images correctly.
Causes of Strabismus
The causes of strabismus are not fully known, although, among patients who are born with the problem, the cause is usually overly tight eye musculature (which pulls one eye or both eyes inward, outward, upward, or downward). Children with extreme nearsightedness may develop strabismus. Adults, too, can develop strabismus, most often in response to head or eye injury, stroke, diabetes, eye disease, and certain diseases.
Strabismus Treatment
To treat strabismus, a doctor will usually prescribe glasses and eye muscle exercises (to strengthen the muscles) and treat related eye problems. If these techniques fail, surgery may be necessary.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye" or "drifting eyes", is an eye condition characterized by reduced vision in one eye (but not the other). The condition can affect children as well as adults. Amblyopia typically occurs when one of the eyes does not transmit visual signals to the brain properly, and the brain responds by ignoring symptoms from the weaker eye. The eye then becomes weaker and suffers a loss of vision.
Causes of Amblyopia
Amblyopia can be caused by several factors, including droopy eyelids (ptosis), cataracts, and refractive errors. A child who has strabismus may develop amblyopia since, with strabismus, the brain may reconcile the eyes' mixed images by ignoring signals from one of the eyes, causing that eye to weaken.
Amblyopia Treatment
Amblyopia is most easily treated in early childhood, using treatments involving blocking vision in the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker eye. Although less effective in adults, these treatment methods may have some effect in improving vision.
Contact Northwest Eye
If you or a loved one is suffering from eye misalignment, you need the guidance and care of top-notch eye care professionals. Contact Northwest Eye for outstanding strabismus or amblyopia treatment. We serve Minneapolis and surrounding communities, including Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale, Minnesota.