Key Takeaways
- Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not line up and point in different directions.
- Adults who develop strabismus often see double because the brain cannot ignore the image from the turned eye.
- Common symptoms include double vision, blurry vision, trouble reading, poor depth perception, and head tilting.
- Strabismus can start or return in adulthood because of eye muscle or nerve problems, health conditions, injuries, or age-related changes.
- Strabismus is different from occasional eye fatigue, and symptoms that keep bothering you deserve a full eye evaluation.
- Conestoga Eye provides expert adult strabismus and double vision care in Lancaster and Hershey, PA, and patients can request an appointment to have their eyes evaluated.
What Is Strabismus of the Eye?
Strabismus, often called crossed eyes, means the eyes are not lined up properly. One eye may look straight ahead while the other turns in, out, up, or down. The misalignment can even shift from one eye to the other. This matters because both eyes must aim at the same spot to see well. Six muscles control eye movement, and the muscles in both eyes must work together to focus on a single image. Learn more in this overview of adult strabismus from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Common Strabismus Symptoms and Eye Misalignment Signs
The most obvious sign is eyes that look out of line. Adults with strabismus may also notice other changes:
- Double vision, which means seeing two images of one object.
- Blurry vision or trouble reading.
- Loss of depth perception, which makes it harder to judge how near or far things are.
- Constant head tilting or turning to see clearly.
- Weakness in or around the eye, or a feeling that something is pulling around the eyes.
These symptoms can be constant, or they can come and go.
Why Adults With Strabismus Often See Double
When a young child has misaligned eyes, the brain learns to ignore the image from the turned eye. Adults who develop strabismus after childhood often see double instead. Their brains already learned to use images from both eyes, so they cannot ignore the image from the turned eye.
Why Strabismus Can Develop or Return in Adulthood
Many adults with strabismus have had it since childhood, but it sometimes starts later in life. Strabismus can involve a problem with the eye muscles, the nerves that control them, or both. In adults, that can be linked to a health condition, a head injury, an earlier eye surgery, or age-related changes in how well the eyes turn inward or outward.
A mild misalignment from childhood that went unnoticed can also become easier to see as a person ages, as explained in this answer to a patient question about eye crossing and fatigue. Because the cause shapes the treatment, a full evaluation is the best next step.
How Strabismus Differs From Simple Eye Strain
Tired eyes and strabismus can feel alike at first. Eyes can struggle to stay straight and focused when vision is not fully corrected, when aging weakens the eyes' ability to turn inward or outward, and when fatigue makes these problems worse.
| Comparison | Occasional Eye Fatigue | Strabismus |
|---|---|---|
| Common triggers | Tiredness, or vision that is not fully corrected with glasses or contacts | A problem with the eye muscles, the nerves that control them, or both |
| What you may notice | Eyes that have trouble staying straight and focused when you are tired | Eyes that look out of line, double vision, blurry vision, trouble reading, or head tilting |
| Best next step | An eye exam to check your vision correction and eye health | A full evaluation to find the cause and discuss treatment |
Because so many causes overlap, a complete evaluation is a good idea when symptoms are bothersome, especially if you see double.
When to See an Eye Doctor in Lancaster, PA
Any new double vision, or eyes that seem out of line, should be checked. At Conestoga Eye in Lancaster and Hershey, adults with strabismus and double vision are scheduled with the Conestoga Eye care team based on their goals, whether that is a surgical consultation or non-surgical options such as prism glasses. To learn more, read about adult medical eye care for strabismus and double vision at Conestoga Eye.
Get Clear Answers About Adult Strabismus at Conestoga Eye
Strabismus is not only a childhood condition. It can start or return in adulthood, and a full evaluation can show what is behind the symptoms.
Adults in Lancaster or Hershey who notice double vision or eyes that look out of line can request an appointment for adult strabismus and double vision care at Conestoga Eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is strabismus in simple terms?
Strabismus means the eyes do not line up. One eye may turn in, out, up, or down while the other looks straight ahead.
Is strabismus only a childhood condition?
No. Many adults have had strabismus since childhood, but it can also start later in life because of eye muscle or nerve problems, health conditions, injuries, or eye surgery.
What are the first signs of strabismus in adults?
Eyes that look out of line are the most obvious sign. Adults may also notice double vision, blurry vision, trouble reading, poor depth perception, or a habit of tilting the head.
How do I know if it is strabismus or just tired eyes?
Tiredness and uncorrected vision can make the eyes struggle. Double vision, or symptoms that keep bothering you, call for a complete evaluation by an eye doctor.
Where can I find an eye doctor for strabismus near me?
Conestoga Eye provides adult strabismus and double vision care at its Lancaster and Hershey offices. Patients can request an appointment online or call (717) 541-9700.
