Strabismus is a disorder in which the eyes do not line up in the
same direction. People with strabismus cannot look at the same
object or place with both eyes at the same time. The condition
is often referred to as “crossed eyes.” Strabismus usually
develops in infants and children by the time they are 3 years
old. The condition occurs when the muscles of each eye do not
work together to point to the same place. The brain will then
receive two images, which can cause double vision or confusion.
It can be a result of problems with the eye muscles themselves,
the nerves that transfer information to the eye muscles, or the
part of the brain that controls eye movements. Over time, the
brain will learn to ignore one of the images. If strabismus is
not treated, it can lead to a permanent reduction of vision in
one eye. This is usually called amblyopia or lazy eye. However,
if treated early, strabismus can often be corrected with very
good results. According to the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), in most childr