Patient's question:
Patient: Female, 23 years old. Both eyes have normal vision. Since childhood, it has been discovered that the left eye cannot move outward. When looking straight ahead, the left eye is slightly deviated to the left but not very noticeable. When looking at things on the right without turning the head, everything is normal. When looking to the left, the left eye cannot move and can only see things straight ahead. Yesterday, I visited the Strabismus and Amblyopia Specialist Clinic at the Fourth Hospital of Xi'an and was told by the doctor that this is a congenital abnormality that cannot be treated, and surgery would be useless.History of Treatment and Effects: In childhood, I had corrective glasses, but they were ineffective. Besides the movement of the left eye, there are no other discomfort symptoms. All family members are normal, and there is no history of heredity.
What Help Is Needed: Since childhood, I have been very self-conscious. Without long bangs covering my hair, I dare not look at others directly. I always thought that as I grew older, I would have the ability to become normal through surgery, but I was told that this is a congenital abnormality that cannot be treated, and even surgery would be useless. However, I have seen many people online who are much worse off than me and can be treated surgically. I just want to look like a normal person in appearance. I hope everyone can give me some good treatment suggestions or introduce some experts in strabismus who are particularly authoritative in the country. Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
The treatment methods for strabismus vary depending on the type of strabismus and are generally divided into surgical and non-surgical therapies.(1) Surgical therapy involves adjusting the strength and attachment points of the extraocular muscles through surgery to gradually bring the eye position back to normal. Most cases of congenital esotropia and vertical strabismus require surgical treatment. Non-regulating strabismus with a large angle also typically needs to be corrected through surgery.
(2) Non-surgical therapy: Not all types of strabismus require surgical treatment. If it is accommodative esotropia, wearing appropriate prism glasses or bifocal glasses can correct it.