Question
Does a child with strabismus need surgery? What are the treatment methods?
Answer
For infants under the age of 3, parents should observe if the child exhibits nystagmus, a lack of response to surrounding colors and light stimuli, or behaviors such as restlessness, avoidance, or attempts to remove the covering when one eye is blocked. Children with a family history of strabismus should have their vision checked by an ophthalmologist by the age of 2, even if they appear normal on the outside. For children over the age of 3, parents should urge them to use their eyes scientifically and have a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at least once a year before the child turns 7. If strabismus symptoms arise, seek the examination and treatment of an ophthalmologist at a regular hospital as soon as possible. Do not delay treatment due to misconceptions such as “it will be more cooperative to treat after school starts” or “strabismus does not require treatment and will get better as they grow up.”