A Lifetime of Double Vision: A Case Report and Literature Review of Chronic Strabismus

Abstract

Strabismus is a condition preventing foveal alignment in normal gaze. Its effects can have long-standing impacts on physical, psychological, and social health. Multiple treatment options exist for strabismus such as surgery, optical correction, and vision therapy, however, treatment efficacy remains variable with little consensus on long-term impacts. Diplopia is a common side effect of the ocular misalignment secondary to strabismus and its treatment. When defining long-term success of treating strabismus, it is essential that visual sensory perception and binocular fusion has been integrated and remedied. Strabismus is complex and can be challenging to manage. To illustrate this, we report a 67-year-old female who presented with complications from long-term treatment of infantile strabismus. This case highlights differences in historical and contemporary strabismus treatments.

Keywords: crossed eye; diplopia; double vision; eye turn; lazy eye; modern strabismus treatment; neuro-optometric rehabilitation; strabismus; strabismus surgery; vision therapy.

Figure 1. Recommended treatment plan of the patient with strabismus

A treatment algorithm for treating patients with strabismus. Treatment begins with a thorough history and physical examination then progresses through a decision tree for optimum treatment.