Especially in babies under 1 year of age, the appearance of slippage in the eyes due to facial structure is called false strabismus. Burum 9 in most babies. Even if it goes away spontaneously after a month, it is useful to have it confirmed by a medical examination to be sure. This is because, in the case of a true misalignment, leaving the condition untreated can cause permanent eye defects in the child.
What is Pseudo-Eye Shift?
In a healthy eye structure, the eyes look at one point at the same time, whereas in eyes with misalignment, one eye appears to be looking in a different direction. In babies under 1 year of age, the most important cause of strabismus is the impaired coordination of the eye muscles that provide the external movements of the eyeball. In the case of false eye shift, it is the appearance of a shift in the eyes due to an illusion caused by the facial structure, although there is no structural shift or strabismus in the eyes.
The most common form of this illusion, also called false strabismus, is a false inward shift in which the eyes appear crossed. Rare cases are the illusion of an outward shift or when the eyes appear to be vertically aligned.
What Causes False Eye Shift?
- Normally, the conjoined muscles around the eye should work in harmony. In this way, there is no eye shift. However, as with other muscles in babies, the development of the eye muscles continues until the age of 1 year. This causes a temporary shift in the eye.
- Sometimes the eyes of babies under 1 year of age may appear to look parallel. This situation causes the appearance of sliding inward in the eyes due to the flattened shape of the nasal root and the upper part of the eyelid extending towards the back of the nose.
- In some cases, significant differences between the geometric shape of the eye and the visual axis may give the impression of an abnormality between the eyeball and the eyelid and strabismus.
When Does False Eye Shift Correct?
The optical illusion called pseudo-ophthalmia resolves in babies at an average of 4-6 months of age. However, if after 6-9 months, one or both eyes continue to shift (inward, outward, downward or upward), it is likely to be strabismus.
What can be done to distinguish false strabismus?
In order to differentiate pseudo strabismus that can be seen in infants, the doctor should evaluate the eyes during routine pediatric outpatient examinations in the first 9 months by performing a covering test when light reflects from the center of the cornea and when necessary. Some of the tests that can be performed on the baby after routine eye examination in suspected false strabismus can be listed as follows:
Hirscberg Test
It is a test of light reflections in the eyes. Light is reflected in the eyes and evaluated in 9 different viewing directions. They are also made to follow objects.
Covering Test
The presence of slippage is evaluated by covering and opening the eye.
What Should Be Done For Treatment In Babies With Persistent False Strabismus Or Strabismus Detected?
Early treatment is very important for babies with persistent false eye shift or diagnosed strabismus. Delayed or no treatment can cause permanent eye problems. For this reason, it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist at the earliest stage and necessary treatments should be performed. A safe and effective result can be achieved in cases of slipped eye treated early.
What are the conditions that can be confused with false eye shift?
Symptoms of some eye diseases may be similar to those of a false eye shift. Similarity can cause confusion that makes diagnosis difficult. Therefore, symptoms should be evaluated in detail from every angle. Diseases with similar symptoms are as follows:
- Cataract
- Eye tumor
- Neurological diseases
- Traumatic eye muscle nerve palsies
- Eye refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism) are the cause of eye slippage.