Crossed Eye and Lazy Eye Treatment Carlsbad, CA

Identifying crossed eye and lazy eye symptoms in eye exams

During comprehensive eye exams at our office in Carlsbad, California, our doctors check for many vision problems, including symptoms of strabismus and amblyopia. Our eye care staff will test visual acuity, eye refraction, visual alignment, and focus, examining overall eye health to assess if these conditions may be present.

What is strabismus?

Strabismus, more commonly known as crossed eye, is a vision condition in which the eyes do not align in the same direction. They appear to look different ways and do not focus on the same object. While the term “crossed-eye” is often used to refer to the condition, strabismus may involve an eye turning inward or outward. In addition, patients may experience eyes that do not move together, inadequate depth perception, double vision, frequent blinking and squinting, and more. Crossed eye (strabismus) is caused by a failure of the six muscles surrounding each eye to work together. As a result of this discoordination, the eyes focus on different objects and send different images to the brain. While older children and adults can develop the condition, crossed eye is most commonly diagnosed in infants and young children by the age of 3.

Eye care treatment for crossed eyes

Treatment for crossed eye (strabismus) can vary greatly depending on the severity and progression of the individual patient’s case. In some cases, eyeglasses or contacts may do the trick. Eyeglasses with special prism lenses may be necessary for some to reduce how much the eye must turn to view objects. In some severe cases, eye muscle surgery may be necessary.

What is amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a vision condition in which one eye grows weaker than the other, typically during childhood. This weaker eye develops poor sight and may continue to worsen if left untreated. Amblyopia patients may experience misalignment of the eyes, poor depth perception, persistent head tilt, shaking of the eyes, squinting or shutting one eye in particular, and more. Amblyopia is also most common in infants and young children, so our vision care staff tests for amblyopia during pediatric eye exams.

Eye care treatment for lazy eye

Treatment for amblyopia typically involves forcing the brain to rely more heavily on the weaker eye, therefore strengthening the connection and improving sight. This is often done by temporarily weakening or blocking the image the brain receives from the stronger eye so the weaker eye must compensate.

How crossed eye and lazy eye are related

Crossed eyes (strabismus) causes the brain to receive a different image from each eye. Over time, the brain may learn to suppress the signals from the weaker eye. If the condition continues untreated, this can lead to lazy eye (amblyopia), and the eye may never work correctly. In some cases, lazy eye (amblyopia) can lead to crossed eye (strabismus) as well, though this is less common. At our office, we make sure to screen for these conditions, especially young children, to ensure the accuracy and longevity of visual health.

Keeping your eyes and vision healthy

While certain factors make crossed eye (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia) more likely to occur, these conditions are almost impossible to prevent. Most common in children, crossed eye (strabismus) often has no known cause, though it tends to run in families. It can develop when the eyes have to compensate for other visual disorders, like farsightedness or cataracts. In adults, the condition is less likely to occur and usually stems from another issue, like a stroke, loss of vision, eye or blood vessel damage, etc.

What is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a vision condition in which the eyes are slightly misaligned. This misalignment can be caused by inherited facial asymmetry or an injury, and it strains both the eyes and the brain as they struggle to focus on a single clear image. As a result, BVD causes blurry vision, frequent migraines, eye pain, and sensitivity. While BVD occurs in people of all ages, it often manifests differently depending on the age group. For children, BVD may lead to poor handwriting, playing with toys close to their face, bumping into objects, squinting to see properly, covering one eye, and difficulty identifying shapes, numbers, and letters. In teens and adults, though, BVD commonly results in headaches, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, sensitivity to light, poor balance, neck pain, and motion sickness. These symptoms can dramatically impact one’s quality of life, making it not only beneficial but crucial to seek treatment.

Eye Care Treatment for Misaligned Eyes

Treatment for BVD often depends on the patient’s individual case. However, vision therapy is a common treatment method, especially if the patient is experiencing dizziness. Vision therapy encourages the brain and eyes to work together more effectively through a series of visual activities, while also helping eye coordination and focus. As part of this vision therapy, we may also recommend prism lenses, which use therapeutic yoked prisms to help the brain naturally stimulate the vergence system, preventing muscle strain. Prism lenses can offer more immediate relief, while visual exercises address the issue long-term. Our team is led by Dr. Raja, who specializes in vision therapy, and will help determine the best treatment method for you, as well as possible lifestyle changes, such as reduced screen time, better posture, and specific home lighting settings, all of which may support your recovery.

Neurolens: A New Development in Treating Misalignment

Here at BVC, we’re proud to stay at the forefront of developments in optometric technology. This includes Neurolens, an exciting advancement in the treatment of eye misalignment.

Neurolens uses contoured prism technology in glasses to correct visual misalignments at all distances by gradually increasing prism power from distance to near. It helps to shift what the eyes are seeing to meet their natural position, reducing strain on eye muscles.

What makes these lenses particularly special is their ability to address patients’ misalignment-correction needs at different distances. For near distances (like reading a book or scrolling on your phone), the bottom of the lens has a higher prism amount to address increased misalignment. For further distances, the prism gradient decreases towards the top of the lens, reducing the degree of correction. Every patient’s lenses are custom-designed to address their precise misalignment needs.

Neurolens goes beyond helping patients to see more clearly; these lenses are proven to reduce misalignment symptoms, including headaches, neck and shoulder pain, light sensitivity, eye strain, dry eye, motion sickness, and more. They also help patients read faster, meaning young students and working adults alike can stay productive for longer periods of time with ease.

Neurolens may be recommended as part of your vision therapy plan, but it can also be used as a standalone treatment for misalignment and related symptoms. Even patients with 20/20 vision often benefit from Neurolens, because misalignment can cause other uncomfortable symptoms while eyesight remains clear.

Schedule your appointment today with our Carlsbad or Encinitas office to discover if Neurolens could be the solution to your eye misalignment-related symptoms.

More about our Carlsbad, California eye care services and exams

When it comes to the health of your vision, it is always better to be proactive! If you think that you or your child may be experiencing strabismus or amblyopia, schedule an appointment and feel free to call our office with questions. Our doctors’ advanced specialties allow us to offer a multitude of eye care services and treatments so that we can help our BVC family achieve effortless vision.

Contact Us

Strabismus and amblyopia care FAQ

How common are these conditions?

Strabismus has been diagnosed in about 4% of the United States, most often in infants and young children. Amblyopia begins in childhood and up to 3% of children have it. It is the most common cause of vision loss in children, so do not hesitate to bring your child in for a pediatric exam if you ever have concerns.

When should I bring my child in for a visit?

The American Optometric Association recommends that infants have their first eye exam at 6 months old. It is always better to be proactive, so bring your child in for more frequent eye exams if they display any concerns or changes in vision, or if there is a family history of vision problems.

What can I do to protect my or my child’s vision?

Make sure to schedule regular eye exams for you and your child and be sure to be seen by a professional if you notice any irregularities! Crossed eye and lazy eye are most easily treated in their early stages, so it is always important to acknowledge concerns and come in for a visit annually.

Is vision therapy effective for adults?

Yes, vision therapy can be effective for adults, especially for issues like eye strain, binocular vision problems, or conditions such as convergence insufficiency. While children tend to respond quicker, adults can still see significant improvements in visual skills and comfort with the right therapy. Read more about the benefits of vision therapy for adults here.

Helpful reviews from San Diego County, CA patients

“The two BEST eye doctors you’ll ever encounter. Sweet, kind, patient, and compassionate.”
– Emily H.
“Beyond Vision went above and beyond to meet my expectations. The facility was very clean and Dr. Morgan was very kind and listened to all my concerns. I will definitely be returning! 10/10 recommend.”
– Megan H.
“Dr. Morgan is simply the best. The professionalism with which he handles his appointments coupled with his detailed knowledge is second to none. The reading glasses and sunglasses offerings helped keep me stylish. I highly recommend this service to anyone in Carlsbad looking for a new eye doctor. You will not be disappointed!”
– Tyler V.