Question:
About: adult strabismus
I have had a recurring problem with my right eye for four years now, starting when
I turned twenty. Basically, it turns inward when I try to focus on an object. It occurs very
regularly, especially when making eye contact with another person. While I know there is a
physical defficieny (poorer eyesight in my right eye/astygmatism), I'm wondering if this
problem has also been linked to any sort of psychological cause. For instance, stress very
often makes it worse. Also, because of the problem, I have developed an anxiety over eye
contact, and as a result my eye will almost always cross when making eye contact. This has
occurred at the most inopportune times, e.g. job interviews, etc. One last quickie (sorry
for the lack of brevity). I was also diagnosed with a torn retina in the same eye one year ago.
Is it possible these conditions are connected. Thanks for you time.
(mattchicoine )
Answer:
Dear Mattchicoine,
Please let me know whether you have a hypermetropia, i.e. you actually need plus glasses but
you don't wear them. If you do, get them, or contacts, first. That will probably help a lot.
If you don't need plus glasses it may be that you only squint when focusing at near. If that is
the case, or you don't plus glasses and had it measured, let me know, then it gets more
complicated to help you.
Yours truly,
(Herb Simonsz, MD, PhD)
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