Question

Can watching a crib mobile cause strabismus in infants?

Answer

Strabismus is a type of squint known as esotropia. Due to their young age, some of the muscles responsible for eye movement coordination in infants are not yet properly coordinated, so most infants will experience some degree of squint or asymmetry in the movement of their eyes. However, these usually disappear within the first three months after birth. Particularly as facial bones develop, this condition gradually resolves. An infant’s strabismus is typically pseudostrabismus. If there is no improvement by the age of 3 to 4, it is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist for examination and treatment, and corrective measures such as surgery or non-surgical methods can be taken.