What is often a consequence of untreated strabismus?

Untreated strabismus, which is a condition where the eyes are not properly aligned with each other, can lead to amblyopia, commonly referred to as "lazy eye." This occurs because the brain receives conflicting visual information from the two misaligned eyes and may begin to ignore the input from one eye. As a result, the visual development in that eye is impaired, leading to reduced vision that cannot be corrected fully with glasses or contact lenses.

Amblyopia is particularly concerning in children, as it can result in permanent vision loss if not addressed early. Treatment for strabismus, which may include glasses, patching of the stronger eye, or surgery to correct the alignment of the eyes, is crucial to help prevent amblyopia and ensure proper visual development.

Other options, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment, are not typically direct consequences of untreated strabismus and have different underlying causes and risk factors.