How Does Strabismus Impact the Ability to Judge Distance?

Accurately judging distance is an important visual skill, whether you are catching a ball, navigating stairs, or driving a car. When a child or adult has strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, this ability can be significantly affected, impacting both daily life and learning. Understanding how strabismus influences depth perception and what treatments are available can help you take proactive steps to protect you or your child’s vision and confidence.
 

What Is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly when focusing on an object. Instead of pointing in the same direction, one eye may turn in, out, up, or down. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent, and it prevents both eyes from working together effectively.
 

Common types of strabismus include:
 

•          Esotropia - One or both eyes turn inward.

•          Exotropia - One or both eyes turn outward.

•          Hypertropia - One eye turns upward.

•          Hypotropia - One eye turns downward.
 

How Strabismus Affects Vision

When the eyes are misaligned, the brain receives two different images instead of one clear, combined image. Depth perception relies on both eyes working together to create a three-dimensional image. With strabismus, the brain often suppresses the image from one eye to avoid confusion, which reduces the ability to judge how far away objects are.
 

If the brain does not suppress the image from one eye, the result can be double vision, which can make everyday activities like reading, sports, driving or even walking more challenging. Smaller misalignment of the eyes can require extra effort to focus, leading to headaches, eye discomfort, and difficulty concentrating.
 

Because depth perception is essential for tasks like catching, throwing, driving or even pouring a glass of water, adults and children with untreated strabismus may struggle with coordination and spatial awareness.
 

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Strabismus

The good news is that several non-surgical treatments are available to help improve eye alignment, depth perception, and overall visual function. In some cases, misalignment is caused or worsened by focusing problems related to refractive error, most commonly hypermetropia (farsightedness). Prescription glasses or contact lenses can help the eyes focus more effectively and improve alignment.
 

Another option is prism lenses, which bend light before it enters the eye. This helps align the images seen by each eye, reducing double vision and making it easier for the eyes to work together.  Compensating prism for strabismus should be used cautiously, as some patients will “prism adapt” and require more and more prism each year. 
 

Vision therapy is also a highly effective approach. This personalized program of in-office and at-home exercises trains the eyes and brain to work together more efficiently. It can improve eye coordination, depth perception, and focusing skills.  While earlier treatment is always better,  vision therapy can benefit patients with strabismus of any age.  
 

Helping You See Clearly and Confidently

Strabismus is more than a cosmetic concern. It can significantly affect one’s ability to judge distance, impacting their performance in school, sports, and everyday activities such as driving. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to help restore proper eye alignment, improve depth perception, and prevent long-term vision problems.
 

If you or your child show signs of misaligned eyes, difficulty judging distances, or struggles with coordination, schedule a comprehensive vision evaluation at New Horizons Vision Therapy Center today. Contact either our Waunakee (near Madison, WI) or Waukesha, Wisconsin locations, by calling (608) 849-4040 to book an appointment.