10 Reasons Your Child May be Cross Eyed

Strabismus, which is more commonly known as having crossed eyes, is a condition wherein the eyes do not point in the same direction and so they do not focus on the same object simultaneously. Strabismus can be the result of a number of different causes, some being pre-existing factors while others are potential side effects from a disease or an injury. In this article we will examine ten possible reasons that a child has strabismus:

1. Family History – Strabismus can be hereditary. If there is a history of strabismus in your child’s family, particularly a parent or sibling, then there is a much greater chance of the child contracting strabismus as well.
2. Damage to Retina in Premature Birth – When a baby is born prematurely there is, at times, an abnormal development of the blood vessels in the retinas, which is known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This condition can lead to strabismus.
3. Down Syndrome – One of the conditions that can increase the risk of strabismus is Down syndrome. An estimated 60% of Down syndrome patients also have some form of ophthalmic condition, including having crossed eyes.
4. Cerebral Palsy – A disease which affects motor function, cerebral palsy can adversely impact the ocular muscles which control eye movement. As a result, CP patients are at higher than average risk for strabismus.
5. Head Injury – Any trauma to the head can result in vision impairment or loss, and can subsequently damage the eye muscles. Common symptoms include blurred or double vision, light sensitivity or difficulty reading. Crossed eyes can also be a result of a head injury.
6. Brain Tumor – As with head trauma, a tumor in the brain can damage eye muscles or blood vessels which could result in ophthalmic maladies including strabismus.
7. Graves’ Disease – Hyperthyroidism is typically indicated by convergence insufficiency, hypertropia, or a combination of both. Hypertropia is a form of crossed eyes where the eyes do not align on the same vertical axis.
8. Hemangioma – An abnormal buildup of blood vessels in the skin or internal organs. When this occurs in the area of the eyes during infancy, it can lead to strabismus. About 30% of hemangiomas are congenital, and the rest occur within the first few months of life.
9. Acute Farsightedness – Children who have a high degree of far-sightedness during the first few years of development are at higher risk for strabismus due to the necessity of constantly adjusting the eyes’ focus.
10. Paralysis of Ocular Muscles – This can occur in children with diabetes or hypertension, causing a deprivation in the blood supply to the ocular muscles (relative ischemia). Typically, this will correct itself within a few months.

Taken From Hire a Nanny