Sudden onset of strabismus

[lovethebops]

Well, I have been worried about my 3.5 year old. For the last few weeks, her right eye has been turning in. She just figured out how to cross her eyes and often does when making silly faces or talking silly. At first, we thought she was doing because she knew how and didn't realize how to uncross them, since she is quite silly sometimes. But I am starting to think otherwise. She doesn't do it all the time, though some days she does it almost constantly, but yesterday was not bad at all! And up close, it isn't as bad, but if she turns to talk to you from a few feet away, it is crossed and takes her a second to readjust focus and straighten her eye-All this in 1 week or so!


Eye problems run rampant in dh's and my family. My mother, aunt, and mother all suffered from cross eyes or 1 eye turning in, and all required surgery at one point. I was under the impression that it is something you look for when they are infants, and this sudden onset is worrisome to me. I am concerned because it has been very bad this week, and instead of her being silly, I think she doesn't realize she is doing it and it is out of her control. I fear surgery. If you knew my dd, you would understand why I fear any type of medical intervention. To say she is stubborn and deathly afraid of the doctor's would be a great understatement. We have a Doc. appt. Monday, so she will be looked at asap. I am so worried about this. I hope it something they can correct w/o surgery, but because my child is stubborn, I don't see how she will comply with Meds. or an eye patch, or glasses.(they would all be on the floor in 2 seconds!)

IS it odd that it has onset so fast? Is that possible? Does that mean it is a bad case? Can it be corrected, and how quickly?  Is it odd to have days when it is worse and others when it is less noticeable? I need answers, I am so worried. Like I said, she will have a ped. appt. on Monday the 22nd.

[billswin]

Can you tell me how this turned out for your daughter? Mine is 2 and this morning the same thing happened. She had been sick but suddenly she just went crosseyed. Thought she was being silly but now it seems to be out of her control and she keeps squinting too..

[Flavius G Pernoud III, MD]

Take your child to see an ophthalmologist ASAP. You can find one in your area at www.aao.org.