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The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest
association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of
32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by
setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for
our patients and the public. For more information, visit
www.aao.org.
COMPLIMENTS OF:
Pseudostrabismus
©2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology
051205-2 Academy reviewed 03/16 978-1-61525-528-3
SummaryPseudostrabismus is when your child’s eyes look
misaligned (crossed), but really they are not. It is common in
babies, and is often due to a wide bridge of a baby’s nose. This
can make the eyes appear crossed.
You can tell if the eyes are really crossed by looking at a
flash photo of the child. With pseudostrabismus, light will reflect
at the same place in both eyes. If the eyes are truly crossed,
light will reflect in a different place in each eye.
Pseudostrabismus does not affect vision, and goes away as the
child grows. However, real crossed eyes, called strabismus, are a
problem. If not treated, the child will not develop normal
vision.
If you have any questions about your child’s eyes or vision,
speak with your ophthalmologist. He or she is committed to
protecting your child’s sight.
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What is pseudostrabismus?Pseudostrabismus is when one or both of
a child’s eyes look misaligned (crossed), but really they are not.
This is unlike strabismus, when the eyes are misaligned, and point
in different directions. With strabismus, one eye may look forward
while the other eye turns in, out, up, or down. However, with
pseudostrabismus, both eyes are pointing forward.
Pseudostrabismus is common in babies from birth to about 18
months old. A child can outgrow pseudostrabismus, but not
strabismus.
What causes pseudostrabismus?Pseudostrabismus is often due to a
baby’s nose having a wide bridge. There are often small folds of
eyelid skin on the side of the eye near the nose. These features
can make a baby’s eyes look crossed. As a baby grows, these
features usually change and pseudostrabismus goes away.
Allowing good vision to developIt is normal for parents to be
concerned that their child may have crossed eyes. Truly misaligned
eyes are a problem that must be evaluated and treated.
Pseudostrabismus does not need to be treated. But if your child
has strabismus, he or she will need to be treated by an
ophthalmologist. Straightening the eyes often allows normal vision
to develop.
Pseudostrabismus. Although the eyes appear misaligned here, the
light reflection is in the same place in both eyes.
True strabismus. The light does not reflect in the same place in
both eyes.
How to tell pseudostrabismus from strabismusA quick way to tell
whether your baby has pseudostrabismus or strabismus is by looking
at a flash photo of your baby. In the photo, the baby’s face and
eyes should be aimed directly at the camera. Look to see where the
light reflects in your baby’s eyes. If your child has
pseudostrabismus, light will reflect at the same place in both
eyes. This is often easiest to see in the center of the pupil. But
if your child has strabismus, light will reflect in a different
place in each eye.
Sometimes a baby’s eyes can become misaligned for a short time.
An ophthalmologist may do a complete eye exam to rule out any
possible signs of strabismus. He or she will check to see if vision
is equal in both eyes or if your child is very nearsighted or
farsighted.
Diagnosing pseudostrabismus or strabismus usually gets easier as
your child grows. This is because pseudostrabismus gets better over
time, while strabismus is likely to get worse.
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time, while strabismus is likely to get worse.
