Childhood strabismus care considers eye alignment, refraction, amblyopia and binocular function. The plan may include optical correction, amblyopia treatment and eye-muscle surgery when indicated.
children with esotropia, exotropia or vertical strabismus after the cause is evaluated; children with intermittent strabismus when the doctor identifies reduced control, symptoms or functional consequences; children with ocular motility disorders requiring a specialized diagnostic and treatment pathway. constant or intermittent inward, outward, upward or downward deviation of one or both eyes;
children with accommodative or partially accommodative strabismus; children after previous strabismus surgery who need assessment of residual or recurrent deviation; the child closes one eye, turns or tilts the head to see better; double vision in a child old enough to report the symptom;
children with strabismus and amblyopia;
suspected strabismus after failed vision screening or routine examination; persistent or recurrent deviation after previous treatment or surgery.
unequal vision between the eyes, amblyopia , significant hyperopia , myopia or astigmatism ;
Strabismus is a disorder of eye alignment. In a child it can affect not only appearance but also visual development. When the brain receives conflicting images, it may suppress the image from one eye, increasing the risk of amblyopia.
The duration of therapy cannot be standardized for all children. It depends on the type of strabismus, visual function, age, response to correction and whether surgery is required. Not every deviation requires surgery, and not every strabismus can be corrected with glasses or device-based therapy alone. The diagnosis determines the method.
Patching primarily treats amblyopia and must be prescribed. Unsupervised occlusion can produce an inappropriate treatment dose.
Surgery improves alignment but may be followed by glasses, amblyopia treatment, orthoptic rehabilitation and monitoring.
Complex cases may require more than one surgical stage.
onset, frequency of deviation, vision in each eye and previous treatment.
Cycloplegic refraction is performed when needed for accurate measurement.
New sudden strabismus, especially with diplopia, severe headache, vomiting, loss of coordination, weakness, pupil change or trauma, requires urgent medical evaluation rather than a routine treatment course.
New sudden strabismus, especially with diplopia, severe headache, vomiting, loss of coordination, weakness, pupil change or trauma, requires urgent medical evaluation rather than a routine treatment course.
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onset, frequency of deviation, vision in each eye and previous treatment.
Cycloplegic refraction is performed when needed for accurate measurement.
Measurement of deviation, binocular vision, convergence and fusion, with other indicated tests.
Glasses, amblyopia treatment, monitoring, orthoptic and diploptic methods or another individual plan.
Follow-up assessment of alignment, visual acuity in each eye and binocular performance.
Follow-up and functional rehabilitation continue after surgery when needed.
Selected treatment aims to improve eye alignment according to strabismus type and the child's age.
Treatment considers accompanying amblyopia: aligning the eyes alone does not replace treatment of the weaker eye's vision.
Assessment of binocular function helps account for both eyes' contribution to vision and identify problems needing treatment.
Optical, functional and surgical methods are selected by indication rather than applied identically to every child.
Children’s glasses are prescribed according to refraction, visual acuity and binocular function.
Learn moreContact lens fitting for a child includes checking vision, assessing the cornea and evaluating a trial lens on the eye.
Learn moreAmblyopia treatment aims to develop vision in the weaker eye.
Learn moreDevice-based treatment is an individual programme of visual exercises for amblyopia and selected binocular vision problems.
Learn moreBook a pediatric ophthalmology consultation at KazRIED if you notice eye deviation, head tilt, one-eye closure, or if your child is already being followed for strabismus. Bring previous reports and current glasses. Sudden strabismus with neurologic symptoms, severe headache, vomiting, trauma or abrupt vision loss requires urgent medical assessment.
Diagnostic tests, anesthesiology services, preoperative and postoperative monitoring, and other services may be billed separately.
The final cost depends on the individual treatment plan.
In Almaty, the composition of the initial pediatric consultation is provided below; the included examinations and eyeglass fitting should not be re-billed as separate services. A-scan / axial length measurement (PZO) is paid for separately.
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Second-category ophthalmologist
Second-category ophthalmologist
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned. In children, it can affect not only appearance but also visual development. When the brain receives conflicting images from the two eyes, it may suppress the image from one eye. This increases the risk of amblyopia, a reduction in vision associated with abnormal visual development.
Strabismus treatment has several objectives: to provide the clearest possible image for each eye, improve vision in the weaker eye, achieve appropriate eye alignment and create conditions for both eyes to work together.
The treatment approach depends on the type of strabismus, the child's age, refraction, the presence of amblyopia and the ability to use both eyes together. In some cases, optical correction is sufficient, while others require a combination of treatments, including surgery.
The ophthalmologist first determines whether the child has strabismus and identifies its type. Strabismus may be convergent, divergent, vertical, constant or intermittent. It may also be classified as accommodative, partially accommodative, non-accommodative or another form based on its underlying mechanism.
To select an appropriate treatment, the ophthalmologist assesses visual acuity in each eye, refraction, with cycloplegia when indicated, eye movement functions, and the angle of deviation at different distances and in different directions of gaze. The examination also evaluates the presence of amblyopia, binocular fusion and stereoscopic vision.
Similar visible eye deviations can have different underlying causes. Treatment should therefore not be selected solely on the appearance of the deviation or a single measurement of its angle.
In unusual or sudden-onset strabismus, the ophthalmologist determines whether additional investigations, including neurological assessment, are necessary.
At KazRIED, the treatment sequence is determined after a comprehensive assessment of the child's visual and eye movement functions.
The choice of treatment depends on the cause and type of strabismus, visual function and diagnostic findings. Treatment may involve several methods used sequentially or in combination.
Strabismus surgery and amblyopia treatment address different problems. Surgery changes eye alignment but does not automatically treat amblyopia or guarantee the development of stereoscopic vision. Optical correction and functional treatment may therefore be needed before and after surgery.
Computer-based strabismus treatment is a functional treatment method prescribed by an ophthalmologist when indicated. It may be used as part of orthoptic or diploptic treatment to address specific binocular functions.
Computer-based treatment is charged as a separate procedure. The ophthalmologist determines whether it is required.
Surgical correction is considered for forms of strabismus in which conservative treatment is insufficient to achieve the necessary eye alignment or when other surgical indications are present.
In accommodative strabismus, the ophthalmologist first evaluates the response to correctly prescribed glasses. The decision regarding surgery may depend on the residual deviation while wearing the appropriate correction.
The decision to operate is not based solely on the angle of strabismus or the child's age. The ophthalmologist considers the type of deviation, vision in each eye, binocular functions, previous treatment results and changes over time.
After surgery, amblyopia treatment, optical correction and functional rehabilitation may continue when necessary.
Early detection and treatment are particularly important while the visual system is developing. However, there is no universal age limit after which treatment becomes ineffective.
According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), amblyopia generally responds better to treatment at younger ages, although visual improvement is also possible in some adolescents.
Even when strabismus or amblyopia is detected later in childhood, an ophthalmological examination is still necessary. The doctor assesses visual function and determines which correction and treatment options may be appropriate.
Strabismus treatment requires ongoing follow-up. During review appointments, the ophthalmologist compares visual acuity in each eye, the angle of deviation, the child's ability to control eye alignment and binocular functions.
Follow-up visits are needed not only to evaluate treatment results but also to adjust the treatment plan if the child's visual system responds differently than expected.
The treatment sequence is individualized: optical correction, amblyopia treatment, observation, orthoptic methods, surgery when indicated, or a combination of these approaches.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
