Symptoms of Eye Misalignment

Eye misalignment is also called strabismus or crossed eyes. The condition affects the alignment and coordination of the eyes and occurs when the muscles controlling your eye movements fail to work together correctly. 

It can be present from birth or develop later in life due to various factors. These may include trauma, genetics, or underlying medical conditions. Exploring the symptoms associated with eye misalignment is vital.

Visible Misalignment

Visible eye misalignment is one of the most noticeable signs of strabismus. An eye may appear turned inward, outward, upward, or downward if it deviates from its position to the other eye. The misalignment can be constant, where the eye consistently turns in a particular direction or intermittently. It can also occur at only particular times or during specific activities.

The visible misalignment can cause a noticeable imbalance in the appearance of the eyes. It may affect self-esteem or self-image, especially in children and adolescents. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to address both the medical and cosmetic concerns of eye misalignment.

Double Vision 

Double vision occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from misaligned eyes. It causes the perception of two separate images. The brain struggles to merge these images into a single clear picture, leading to visual confusion and discomfort.

Double vision can impact daily activities such as reading and driving. Individuals may close or cover one eye to eliminate the double vision temporarily. However, this does not address the underlying cause of the misalignment and thus is not a long-term solution.

Eyestrain and Fatigue

Eyestrain and fatigue are frequent symptoms associated with eye misalignment. The misalignment stresses the eye muscles as they struggle to maintain proper alignment and focus. Prolonged periods of eyestrain can result in headaches, eye discomfort, and general fatigue.

Individuals with eye misalignment often report increased eye tiredness. It occurs during activities that require sustained visual concentration such as reading or computer work. The strain on the eye muscles can lead to decreased productivity and reduced quality of life.

Squinting and Closing One Eye 

People with eye misalignment often develop compensatory habits to alleviate the visual disturbances caused by double vision. One common practice is squinting. It involves narrowing the affected eye to block out the conflicting visual input. This can temporarily improve vision clarity by reducing the impact of misalignment and double vision.

Another compensatory mechanism is closing one eye. Doing so eliminates the input from the misaligned eye. Individuals can temporarily restore single, clear vision. However, relying on these compensatory habits is not a sustainable solution and can lead to further visual discomfort and limitations.

Depth Perception Issues
 

Depth perception relies on the ability of your brain to process visual cues from both eyes and determine the relative distances of objects. Eye misalignments disrupt those processes and affect depth perception. Individuals with eye misalignment may have difficulty accurately judging distances, which can impact their performance in activities such as driving or sports.

Eye Fatigue and Reading Difficulties 

Eye misalignment can lead to eye fatigue and reading difficulties. The misalignment causes the eyes to work harder to focus and track objects. As a result, it increases eye fatigue during activities requiring sustained visual concentration. Additionally, misaligned eyes may have difficulty following lines of text, making it challenging to read smoothly and efficiently.

Head Tilting or Turning 

Some individuals with eye misalignment may adopt head tilting or turning as a compensatory mechanism. It can help align the eyes and reduce double vision. Tilting or turning the head helps align the visual axes of the eyes and temporarily improves the alignment of the misaligned eye.

For more about eye misalignment, contact Rieger Eyecare Group at our office in Normal, Illinois. Call (309) 320-2020 to book an appointment today.