Wow Vision Therapy Blog

Strabismus—commonly referred to as “crossed eyes” or “wandering eyes”—is more than a cosmetic issue. It’s a serious binocular vision condition that affects not only how the eyes align and work together, but also how an individual sees, functions, and experiences the world.

At Wow Vision Therapy, we see firsthand how strabismus impacts patients of all ages—from preschoolers to adults—and how the right diagnosis and treatment can lead to dramatic improvements in visual function, confidence, and quality of life.

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a form of binocular vision dysfunction where the two eyes are unable to maintain proper alignment. This can lead to a loss of fusion—the brain’s ability to combine the images from both eyes into a single, unified perception. The result is often a visible eye turn that may be:

• Esotropia – an inward turn (crossed eyes)
• Exotropia – an outward turn (wandering eye)
• Hypertropia/Hypotropia – a vertical misalignment (one eye drifts up or down)

Strabismus may be constant or intermittent, unilateral (same eye turns) or alternating (either eye turns at different times). While each case is unique, strabismus is typically a neuro-developmental condition, often influenced by a hereditary predisposition. It commonly begins in infancy or early childhood, during the critical period when binocular vision is developing.

More Than Just an Eye Turn

The visual consequences of strabismus can be profound. When the eyes are misaligned, the brain often responds by suppressing the image from the turned eye to avoid double vision (diplopia). Over time, this suppression can lead to:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye) – especially in constant, unilateral strabismus
• Loss of stereopsis – diminished or absent depth perception
• Poor spatial awareness – affecting everything from hand-eye coordination to navigating steps or curbs
• Difficulty with sports, driving, and other depth-related tasks

Beyond visual function, the emotional impact is significant. Many children and adults with strabismus experience embarrassment, anxiety, and low self-esteem due to the appearance of their eyes. Older children and teens, in particular, may become more self-conscious and socially withdrawn as a result.

When Do Parents Notice?

In our clinic, many cases come to light when a parent notices their child’s eye turn during the preschool or early elementary years. However, strabismus can be subtle or intermittent—especially in younger children—and may go undetected during a routine eye exam if binocular testing isn’t included.

In older patients, the motivation to seek help often comes from the patient themselves, particularly if they feel distressed or embarrassed by the appearance of their eyes or if they experience functional issues like poor depth perception or eye fatigue.

The Vision Therapy Difference

The good news is that vision therapy and vision rehabilitation can make a transformative difference for individuals with strabismus. At Wow Vision Therapy, we design a customized, one-on-one treatment program to:

• Develop proper eye alignment and fusion
• Improve depth perception and 3D vision
• Rehabilitate suppression and restore balanced binocular input
• Strengthen eye teaming, tracking, and visual processing
• Support emotional healing by helping patients gain confidence and control over their vision

Each treatment program begins with a comprehensive binocular vision and developmental evaluation, which assesses more than just alignment—we evaluate oculomotor function, eye focusing (accommodation), visual-motor integration, and visual-vestibular coordination. We also provide detailed reports for referring doctors and parents, including Classroom Accommodations when applicable for IEP or 504 plans.

Hope Through Healing

Strabismus may begin early in life, but it doesn’t have to define a child—or adult—for life. With proper diagnosis and a tailored vision therapy program, many patients achieve meaningful improvements in alignment, function, and confidence.

If you suspect your child—or someone you know—may be struggling with strabismus, contact us for a comprehensive evaluation. At Wow Vision Therapy we’re here to guide every patient toward normalcy in binocular vision with depth perception providing clearer, more comfortable and confidence in the visual demands of life.

To learn more or schedule an evaluation, go to our website at wowvision.net

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FOVDR
Founder, Wow Vision Therapy