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Paralytic strabismus in children
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Paralytic strabismus in children is caused by paralysis or paresis of one or more extraocular muscles, caused by various reasons: trauma, infections, neoplasms, etc. It is characterized primarily by limited or no mobility of the squinting eye in the direction of the paralyzed muscle. Looking in this direction causes double vision or diplopia. If in concomitant strabismus, functional scotoma (functional inhibition) eliminates double vision, then in paralytic strabismus, another adaptation factor occurs: the patient turns his head in the direction of the affected muscle, which compensates for its insufficiency and eliminates double vision. Thus, a symptom characteristic of paralytic strabismus occurs - a forced turn of the head. Often, such conditions are treated by orthopedists, in particular with torticollis, although these children need mandatory consultation and treatment of an ophthalmologist, and therapy with an orthopedist is auxiliary.
The main treatment for non-concomitant forms of strabismus is surgical. It is often associated with complex plastic interventions on the oculomotor muscles.
Treatment of strabismus in children is usually carried out over several years in a timely manner, during the period of formation of visual functions. This is facilitated by the system of early detection and treatment, which brings it as close as possible to the time of onset of the disease.
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