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Conditions and Diseases > Vision and Eye Disorders Forum > Strabismus: What to Do? I Feel Kinda Down.
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Q: Strabismus: What to Do? I Feel Kinda Down.
asked by: The The on December 29th, 2005
New User
Hey,

when I fast little the eye doctor advised me to follow a few sessions at an orthoptist to learn how to use both eyes simulatenously. Presumably my eyes weren't drastic enough to proceede instant eye correction through surgery. So I did, untill about the age of 8 I think.

The next following years I didn't have that much trouble with my eyes. I could see well without my eyes wandering off too much. Yet, when I was around 16 I started having this feeling my eyes were changing. I noticed my left eye was moving inwards alot when I looked at things. I began to have trouble fixating my eyes on a certain objects, I began to have constant headachs every day and at that time I didn't know why. I couldn't look peoples in the eyes, not of shyness, but because it hurted so much. I was actually kind of shy telling my parents about this and i've only told them this year. I didn't tell them earlier, because I was insecure of myself, and I didn't exactly know what the problem with my eyes was.

A few times we went back to the eye doctor for a check up, and all the time he told me I just needed different glasses. Couldn't he have just seen what was wrong with me? Maybe if he observed better he could have spared alot of akward years.This is the same eye doctor who advised me not to have surgery when I was little, so I kind of blame him for some of it. ( if that even makes sense).

Well...I'm 18 now, starting my life as an adult, but I have so much trouble begining my journey when I feel so limited in life, and abondonned by these eyes. I started college in september, went for a month, but I could hardly concentrate and adapt to my surroundings. I stopped going after a month, because I felt so unhappy and pessimistic. I had trouble studying and concentrating, because I couldn't focuss on anything else but my eyes. And still can't...

I finally broke down and told my older brother about the problem I was having all these years, and why I felt bad about myself, and life and cried it out on his shoulder. He then told my mother. I told my mom that the reason why I was down when I came out of school was because of my eyes, and not because I didn't like going to school. I practically also shut off my social life, though I still had friends at school, I just didn't go out anywhere with them after school. It's like no one seemed to know what was wrong with me, because I was too sealed.

So...In november I went to a few orthoptists to see if I could reactivate a nerve to use both of my eyes together. Those tests didn't work well, and they only gave me headachs (you know those kind of tests right?). It also appeared I actually only use one eye when I look (which would explain why the other eye doesn't stay in the center). This is a thing my eye doctor never told me, and I really angers me off that a man of his status didn't know or care to tell me about it!

After these failed attempts I was adviced to go to a doctor who's an expert on strabismus. Thus, I went there asap( don't you just hate waiting so long for something so important? I know I do.) after I think 2 visits, they also confirmed that correcting or 'improving' my eyes through orthoptistic exercises wouldn't help. Then the docor ( it's a she by the way) gave me prisms for one glass as a test to see if an operation would work. But I had a lot of trouble seeing good with it. It felt weird, and gave me headachs, and normally you should feel comfortable with them. I was really ticked off, because I hoped this would work, but it made me feel more akward.

At the moment i've blocked my left eye's glasses so I don't have shitty headachs when I watch tv and stuff. It looks kinda stupid, and it doesn't feel very comfortable, but atleast it makes feel a bit better. What hurts me, is that i'm not unatractive in the least and my eye problem is holding me back from enjoying my life, going out, dating, studying etc.

I know it will be nigh on impossible to have two perfect eyes, but I just want a stable social life you know. I want to look peoples in the eyes without it hurting, or feeling embarrassed. This is holding me back. I wish I could just have a cosmetic surgery on my left eye ( it's the one that goes inwards alot) so that it just appears normally, even though i'm actually looking with one eye mostly.

Anyone relate to this? Can anyone help me out? Anyone have any tips?

I really needed to get this of my chest! Thanks.
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ex48er
replied on March 14th, 2006
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Cosmetic surgery isnt' gonna fix an eye. If ur eye turns in, see another doc about botox shots first (realize u r awake for this procedure... U have to look straight ahead while that needle goes into your eye and u have to be still! So get urself prepared)

eye surgeries suck when u r young. Go back to college... Don't be afraid to ask for help. Get large print books, tests, etc and don't give up!

I had to deal with the same crap in college... Eye surgeries and feeling bummed. The best thing about college tho is that a lot of kids don't really care cuz they are too busy partying or studying.

Get busy also... Get yourself a million jobs or hobbies. At the time of my eye surgeries, I was juggling over four jobs and I joined two frats... I don't think I slept for a month. Idle hands are bad if u r a thinker.
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MidnightToker
replied on December 29th, 2007
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Man your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. I have the same condition where i only use one eye at a time. When that eye gets tired after any kind of strain (computer, TV, reading, etc...) the other will start to turn slightly inwards. Although i have rarely ever heard anyone say something about it, i can't help but feel imperfect and iferior. It has really affected my social life and i often wonder how things would have turned out for me if i didn't have this defect and were able to be more sociable with others Sad I am 23 now and still haven't learned to accept my strabismus. I know that the day i am able to just accept this and not care what others think about me i'll trully be free! Good luck to you and keep us posted on any new progress with your strabismus Smile
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cooperskazza
replied on December 5th, 2008
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Botox!!!!
To ex48er, You mentioned in here along time ago now about botox shots. I had eye surgery on my left eye due to it turning outwards after surgery now it turns inwards. My doctor says botox injections is something to try however im concerned its something im gonna have to keep having to be able to have a straight eye. How many injections did you have and is your eye perfect now. Or if anyone else has had botox injections please let me know. i would love to read any feedback!!!
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nzpotatoe
replied on July 7th, 2009
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I suffer from intermittent strabismus in my right eye. I believe it is called exotropia (the eye turns out).

I am in dental school and are just realising that I won't be able to continue. I visited a behavioural optometrist at the start of the year and have begun vision therapy. He is the best in New Zealand from what I can tell. But from he has said, even with the most dedicated eye exercises and training for stereopsis I probably will always never be as good as the normal person at depth perception. For dentistry you need the best depth perception and coordination- so I am screwd. I feel like shet.

I know want to apply to optometry school, which is on the other side of the country and I will be wasting the last year and a half of hard work and money. Plus the emotional stress i went through to gain the marks i did and to keep up in dental school for half a year.

I need to begin a new 3 year science degree to compete to get into optometry school. Its going to be a large loan at the end of it and I will be very old when i come out.

I haven't told my parents, who think everything is fine. My optometrist hasn't told me directly that i wont be able to become a dentist either. I have three more days of holidays before i head back to dental school and hell.

I am turning 20 this year. Anways, that's my story. Youre not alone.
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jp1090
replied on October 24th, 2009
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I'm 19, I had strabismus surgery when I was 17 and it almost completly corrected it, but for some reason I began having dry eyes after the surgery. I guess it messed up my tear ducts or something, so that's a pain in the ass but I guess it's better than eyes that drift apart... Sometimes it bothers me that my eyes are a little off so I can relate. Remember this, most people's eye's aren't completly symmetrical, theirs may not drift but they arent perfectly alligned either. Hope that helps.
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