With latent strabismus (heterophoria), the eyeballs deviate from the anatomically normal position due to an imbalance in the work of the motor muscles. The disease occurs mainly in children. At the same time, vision remains consistently high, and binocularity is preserved, so it is almost impossible to determine heterophoria by yourself. Latent strabismus is not a dangerous eye disease, but it can lead to serious complications later if appropriate measures are not taken in time.
General classification
Normally, the eyeballs work in sync so that the gaze is focused on the selected object. If there is a deviation, then heterophoria is diagnosed. In form, strabismus can be hidden, vertical, divergent, mixed, paralytic or concomitant. A defect can appear either permanently or temporarily. Atypical strabismus is also distinguished (with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome). There may be mixed forms, such as latent divergent strabismus.
Causes of disorder
Latent strabismus in children is diagnosed quite often. Babies of the first year of life almost always have deviations of the visual axis, but by six to twelve months such problems disappear. The eye muscles of newborns are weakened, only by the fourth month the activity reaches the norm, so that simultaneous control of the eyeballs is possible. The main factors that provoke latent strabismus in childhood are prematurity, genetic pathologies or unfavorable heredity, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus (a severe pathology that affects brain tissue), maternal drug use, alcohol and certain drugs during pregnancy.
The causes of latent strabismus in adults can be various head injuries, neurological disorders, paralysis, inflammatory ophthalmic diseases, abnormal development of the visual organ, decreased visual acuity, endocrine disorders, significant physical exertion, cataracts and other pathologies of the organs of vision. Heterophoria can be a consequence of diseases of the thyroid gland, paralysis of the eye muscles, myopia or hyperopia, due to which there is an overstrain of some muscles and weakness of others.
Manifestations of strabismus
Latent strabismus in adults can be manifested by the following symptoms: difficulty focusing on one object, periodic limitation of pupil mobility, fatigue, nausea, deviation of the pupils into differentsides. To detect strabismus, it is enough to block the possibility of binocular vision. To do this, close one eye. At the same time, he will deviate to the side that corresponds to the type of heterophoria. When binocularity is restored, the pupil will make a characteristic movement and return to the correct position. In the absence of strabismus, the eyeballs will remain in an aligned position.
Diagnostic Methods
For the diagnosis of latent strabismus in medical practice, methods are used that exclude one eye from the visual process. The easiest way to diagnose is to focus on a specific object in turn for each eye. The ophthalmologist will follow the work of the eyes, and if there is a difference in the speed and accuracy of pupil movement, then we can talk about latent strabismus. In children, it is more difficult to identify a deviation, because not all babies are able to follow the doctor's commands. In this case, they resort to hardware diagnostics or offer color pictures.
To determine concomitant diseases, vision is assessed using the appropriate tables. Adults are offered the Sivtsev table, and children - Orlova. As measures of additional diagnostics, the state of the vessels, the size of the visual fields are assessed, and electrophysiological tests are prescribed. This is a reliable method that will help determine the angle of strabismus accurately.
Treatment of latent strabismus is based on methods of strengthening muscles and restoring vision. Usually the patient has no problems with visual acuity, so radical methods are usedrarely. To eliminate strabismus, children are shown wearing corrective glasses. If there are other vision problems, appropriate lenses are selected. Heterophoria can be acquired or congenital, but latent strabismus is rarely acquired. In any case, the treatment should eliminate provoking factors.
Possibility of correction
How to hide strabismus? Usually glasses and lenses, surgical treatment, exercises with the help of special devices, occlusive dressings are used for correction. After the operation, therapy does not end. The doctor will prescribe drops and procedures for further correction of the defect. Glasses and lenses are indicated for patients with any form of strabismus. This is often the best method for patients with other ophthalmic disorders.
Glasses completely correct hidden strabismus, especially if treatment is started in childhood. But many ophthalmologists note that treatment to achieve the best effect should only be complex. Otherwise, the strabismus will remain. When strabismus-concealing glasses are prescribed, follow-up checks will be required every two months.
There is an opinion that with strabismus you can not wear lenses. But this method of correction differs from traditional glasses only in location. Lenses have both positive and negative sides. Modern soft contact lenses can be worn continuously without harm to vision. In any case, the doctor should decide on the choice of the correction method, based on the indications andthe wishes of the patient. It is possible to hide strabismus with lenses, but not all forms of pathology can be done equally effectively.
Surgical intervention is indicated only if traditional methods do not give the desired effect. During the operation, the eye muscles are shortened or lengthened to hide the defect. Glasses with hidden strabismus will no longer be needed after the operation.
Synoptophore exercises
Orthopto-diploptic treatment is to eliminate the disorder with the help of special devices on which a person performs exercises to improve vision. During exercise, simultaneous or alternate irritation of the retinal pits occurs, which leads to synchronization of the patient's eyes. The procedure is carried out as follows. A round test (diameter is 7 cm) is placed in a special device, on which there is a horizontal mark (5 mm). The patient's head is placed on a stand. The test eye is closed. Next, the patient looks at the test so that the image is projected onto the retina of the eye. Within twenty seconds, irritation of the posterior pole of the eye occurs. The goal of this procedure is to achieve stable binocular vision.
Occlusive dressing
The essence of using a bandage is that the he althy eye is closed. This is necessary so that the eye, whose activity is impaired, is also included in active work. Often the bandage is fixed under the glasses. The period of wearing is individual, determined by the ophthalmologist, but you need to know that you can not close one eye with occlusion for more thanfor fourteen days. Change the bandage every day.
Unconventional methods
There are many folk methods for the treatment of latent strabismus, but not all of them give a stable positive result. Regarding the use of alternative medicine recipes, you should consult with your doctor. It is believed that the use of decoction of calamus has a positive effect on the eye muscles. To prepare a healing drink, you need 5-10 grams of a dry plant, pour hot water and pass through a sieve. You need to drink a decoction four times a day before meals.
Cabbage is good. To prepare the medicine, you need to pour cabbage leaves with cold water and cook until the vegetable is completely boiled. Eat daily. You can brew rose hips. The broth must be allowed to brew. Consume thirty minutes before meals. Pine and spruce needles are often used to correct ophthalmic diseases. The needles need to be brewed with boiling water and let it brew. Drink on an empty stomach before breakfast.
Before using any folk remedy for the treatment of latent strabismus, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications. Be sure to consult a doctor who will help you choose the most effective method of therapy. The chosen means needs to be treated constantly. You can not first use one method, and after two days move on to the next. The course should be at least two weeks. Folk remedies should be used without fanaticism, without abandoning traditional treatment.
Gymnastics for the eyes
Gymnastics is no less effective for hidden strabismus. You need to perform a set of special exercises daily. Adults are offered the following set of exercises:
- Relax your eyes, focus on one point (object), and then try to combine the pictures that each eye sees separately. The exercise can be considered successfully completed if the pictures are combined.
- You need to stretch your arms forward and focus on your index finger. Slowly bring your finger closer to the bridge of your nose, without taking your eyes off. Repeat 15-20 times.
- Look out the window, select the farthest point, and then look at the object that is close. Repeat 5-10 times.
- Draw different shapes in the air: numbers, square, zigzags, letters, figure eights.
It is difficult for young children to concentrate on one activity for more than fifteen minutes. Experts recommend dividing the complex into several approaches that can be performed throughout the day. You need to divide a large sheet of paper into squares, in each of which draw different pictures. The kid needs to be asked to show the same images.
Another exercise is to put the child at the table. Install a lamp with a frosted lamp. The distance from the light source to the child's face should be at least 40-45 cm. You need to close one eye (it is better to use a bandage) and turn on the lamp. Fasten a plasticine ball five to ten centimeters from the light source. The child must observe the ball for thirty seconds,trying not to blink. The child should see a dark circle with a white base. This is called sequential. Then you need to show the baby pictures until the image disappears. During the exercise, the child should not be sleepy or tired.
To treat or not to treat?
If there are no complaints, strabismus is not treated. But if such a condition is caused by refractive errors, correction or laser surgery is necessary (if indicated). As a rule, wearing special glasses or lenses solves this problem. Machine treatment allows you to restore muscle activity and optimize the ability of the eye muscles to merge the image.
Prevention of strabismus
Adults need to be protected from injuries and infections, and see an ophthalmologist regularly (especially if they have vision problems). It is strictly forbidden to read in transport, to overload the eyes, to self-medicate. Every day you need to do gymnastics for the eyes, avoid stressful situations and include moderate physical activity in your life. Swimming, running, or tennis are especially helpful.
Children from an early age should hang all toys at arm's length. TV is allowed from the age of three, while the distance from the device must be at least 2-6 meters. A computer can be used from the age of 8, but not more than 30 minutes a day. It is necessary to provide the child with proper and nutritious nutrition, to give it to the sports section. Useful tennis, basketball and volleyball. Premature babies should be seen regularly by an ophthalmologist.
