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Question

We are adopting a little girl with "convergent strabismus of non-specific nature apparent from the age of 3 months" We have been told that this is operable? She will be turning 2 in September. Is it normally operable? What questions should we ask? Will she need glasses? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dawn and Alex Bond

(dawn bond)

Answer:

Dear Dawn,

Infantile esotropia is a common condition in young children (1 in 100 or 200). In the U.S. these children are operated at an early age, in Europe somewhat later. The reason for surgery is primarily kosmetic. Some children preferably look with one eye. Then the other eye becomes amblyopic (lazy). Please have the child checked by an ophthalmologist or orthoptist as soon as it arrives.

Yours truly,

(Herb Simonsz, MD, PhD)

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