Exercises for crossing eyes: Actions to take and their benefits explained
In the intricate world of eye health, strabismus — a condition characterised by misaligned eyes — can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, a range of treatments is available to help manage this condition.
One common approach is eye exercises. For instance, the Brock string exercise involves focusing on each bead at the centre of an X pattern, except for the one at the far end. This exercise can help improve binocular vision, eye teaming, and eye coordination at all distances. Another exercise, pencil pushups, involves moving a pencil towards the face and focusing on it. This exercise may be particularly beneficial for strabismus, especially when combined with other treatments such as medications and refractive correction.
Barrel cards, featuring three red and green targets opposite each other, are another tool used to train the eyes to work together and improve eye coordination. The exercise involves focusing on the largest barrel until the two colours merge and the other two double, then maintaining the focus for 5 seconds before switching to the next two.
Beyond eye exercises, treatments for strabismus span optical aids, pharmacologic injections, vision therapy protocols, and surgical realignment.
Corrective glasses or contact lenses can help improve vision and sometimes reduce eye misalignment. Prism lenses, special lenses that shift images to help the brain align them better, provide symptomatic relief, especially for double vision (diplopia).
Vision therapy, a combination of eye exercises and other techniques, aims to improve eye coordination and alignment beyond just exercises alone. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are used to temporarily weaken overactive eye muscles, helping to realign the eyes.
Strabismus surgery, the most definitive treatment, involves tightening, loosening, or repositioning the extraocular muscles to realign the eyes. Surgery is typically considered for more severe cases or when other treatments have been ineffective.
The choice of treatment depends on the severity, cause, and individual patient needs. Early intervention improves outcomes and prevents complications. For instance, in cases of amblyopia, strabismus can be treated with atropine drops or by patching the weaker eye for a certain period.
In the case of children, a parent or caregiver should have a child examined by an ophthalmologist if the child's eyes do not appear straight and the child is older than 4 months.
It's important to note that there is no one treatment that will remedy strabismus the fastest. High compliance with the treatment is necessary for the best results. Frequent and consistent eye exercises can improve control of certain types of strabismus, but the key is maintaining a consistent routine.
Strabismus can be treated in adults through a variety of methods, including surgery, eye muscle exercises, prism eyeglasses, and botulinum toxin. Refractive correction using eyeglasses or contact lenses can also be a treatment for strabismus.
References:
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Strabismus. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/strabismus-crossed-eyes-lazy-eye
[2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Strabismus. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strabismus/symptoms-causes/syc-20355084
[3] National Eye Institute. (2021). Strabismus Fact Sheet. https://nei.nih.gov/health/strabismus/strabismus
[4] American Optometric Association. (2021). Vision Therapy. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/eye-conditions-and-diseases/vision-therapy
[5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Strabismus. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16736-strabismus
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes, is a significant concern that can be treated with a variety of science-backed therapies and treatments.
- One such treatment is vision therapy, a combination of eye exercises and other techniques designed to improve eye coordination and alignment, which often includes pencil pushups and barrel card exercises.
- When it comes to nutritional aspects, maintaining a balanced diet can contribute to overall eye health, but it doesn't directly remedy strabismus.
- mental-health plays a crucial role in rehabilitation, as high compliance with the treatment is necessary for the best results, and a consistent routine is key to improving control of certain types of strabismus.
