Which complication can strabismus lead to if not treated in time?

Strabismus, which is often referred to as "crossed eyes" or "wandering eyes," involves a misalignment of the eyes, where they do not properly focus on the same point. If strabismus is not addressed in a timely manner, one of the most significant complications that can arise is amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye."

Amblyopia occurs because the brain begins to favor one eye over the other due to the misalignment, leading to reduced visual acuity in the less favored eye. This happens because the brain suppresses the visual input from the misaligned eye to avoid double vision. Over time, if the strabismus persists, the neural pathways involved in vision develop improperly, resulting in lasting impairment in that eye.

It's crucial to detect and treat strabismus early, as interventions such as corrective lenses, eye patches, or surgery can help restore proper alignment and visual development. If left untreated, amblyopia can result in permanent vision loss in the affected eye, illustrating the importance of timely intervention in cases of strabismus.