The gaze is one of our most powerful tools for communication and connection. But what happens when the eyes do not align perfectly? This condition, known as strabismus, goes far beyond aesthetics, impacting vision and significantly affecting the emotional health of children and adults. Often, the initial concern focuses on physical correction, but the emotional scars, such as social anxiety and low self-esteem, can be equally deep.

Imagine the frustration of not being able to focus correctly or the anguish of feeling constantly observed and judged by appearance. Strabismus is a daily challenge that affects how a person perceives the world and, more importantly, how they believe the world perceives them. This ongoing emotional burden can create a cycle of stress and anxiety, which in turn exacerbates negative self-perception and hinders social interactions.

Fortunately, understanding of strabismus has evolved. Today, we know that a comprehensive approach is not limited to glasses, patches, or surgery. It must necessarily include support for emotional health. It is essential to recognize and validate the feelings of those living with the condition, providing tools to strengthen resilience, self-confidence, and psychosocial well-being.

For you, a health professional seeking to expand your skills to offer truly comprehensive care, understanding this dimension is a transformative differentiator. Helping a patient cope with the emotional impact of strabismus is as vital as ophthalmological treatment. It is about restoring not only binocular vision but also the positive vision the person has of themselves.

In this article, we will explore strabismus comprehensively: from its causes and types to conventional treatments. More importantly, we will dive into its psychosocial impact and discuss how scientific approaches, such as clinical hypnosis, can be powerful allies in strengthening patients’ emotional well-being, empowering professionals to provide support that truly makes a difference.

What Is Strabismus and Why Does It Happen?

Strabismus is the term used to describe the misalignment of the visual axes, making it impossible for the eyes to focus on the same point simultaneously. This results in difficulties in depth perception and binocular vision, which is the brain’s ability to merge images seen by each eye. Binocular vision is essential for spatial awareness and for performing everyday activities with ease.

The causes of strabismus can be divided into several main categories. Among the congenital factors, strabismus is present from birth or develops in the first months of life. High refractive errors, such as hyperopia and myopia, are also known to contribute to the problem, as the need to compensate for these errors can lead to eye deviation. Additionally, neurological diseases, such as cerebral palsy and stroke, can affect the eye muscles and control eye movement.

Other causes include head injuries, which can impair the nerves responsible for eye movement, and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, which can affect the eye muscles over time. Identifying the underlying cause is essential not only for understanding strabismus but also for choosing the most appropriate and effective treatment.

Signs and Common Types of Eye Deviation

The signs of strabismus can be easily perceived by attentive observers. The visible deviation of one eye is the most evident sign. Often, the affected person may close one eye when exposed to bright sunlight to avoid visual discomfort. Additionally, tilting the head to try to focus and complaints of double vision are common symptoms. These signs can be a cause for concern, and therefore, it is essential to seek an ophthalmological evaluation.

Strabismus is divided into several types, classified by the direction of the deviation:

• Esotropia: Deviation of the eyes inward, towards the nose.
• Exotropia: Deviation of the eyes outward.
• Hypertropia: Deviation of the eyes upward.
• Hypotropia: Deviation of the eyes downward.

Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between constant and intermittent strabismus. Constant strabismus is when the deviation is always present, while intermittent strabismus occurs only in certain situations, such as fatigue or stress. This differentiation can influence clinical assessment and the chosen treatment.

Each type of strabismus may require a different treatment approach, reflecting the importance of accurate diagnosis and understanding the signs presented.

Diagnosis and Conventional Treatments

The diagnosis of strabismus is performed by an ophthalmologist, who employs a series of tests to identify the condition. One of the initial tests is the visual acuity test, which assesses the ability to see details at different distances. Additionally, the occlusion test, known as the “cover test,” observes how the eyes move while one is covered, revealing the presence of deviations. Another important examination is refraction, which helps identify refractive errors such as hyperopia or myopia, contributing to understanding if these conditions are influencing eye misalignment.

Treatments for strabismus vary according to the severity and cause of the deviation. The main approaches include:

• Use of corrective glasses: Essential to correct refractive errors that may cause eye deviation.
• Occlusion therapy: Involves placing a patch on the dominant eye, stimulating the deviated eye and helping combat amblyopia.
• Botulinum toxin application: Used in specific cases, relaxing hyperactive eye muscles.
• Alignment surgery: Performed to adjust the strength of the extraocular muscles, promoting better alignment of the eyes.

The goal of these treatments is to align the eyes, prevent vision loss, such as amblyopia, and restore binocular vision whenever possible. Early treatment is crucial to improving the quality of life and emotional health of people living with strabismus.

Scientific Hypnosis in Emotional Support for Patients

Scientific hypnosis does not have the power to correct the eye misalignment of strabismus. However, it can offer valuable emotional support for patients dealing with the psychological consequences of this condition. Many people with strabismus face social stigmas, especially those who developed the condition later or were victims of bullying. This often results in elevated stress, social anxiety, and low self-esteem.

As we state at the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), “everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help.” Qualified health professionals use hypnosis to assist patients in modifying how they interpret and react to social situations, cultivating healthier and more resilient automatic thoughts. For example, a patient may use hypnosis to reduce anxiety before social events, developing a stronger self-image and self-confidence.

Furthermore, hypnosis can offer coping strategies for dealing with unwanted stares and comments. By working through positive suggestions in the hypnotic state, the patient can learn to respond to these challenges in a way that does not compromise their emotional well-being.

Thus, scientific hypnosis, when integrated with evidence-based practices, not only improves the emotional health of the patient with strabismus but also complements ophthalmological treatment, providing significant comprehensive care.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have unveiled the multiple facets of strabismus. We have seen that it is much more than a simple eye misalignment; it is a complex condition with diverse causes, different types of manifestations, and treatments that seek to restore not only alignment but overall visual function. The journey of diagnosis and treatment, which involves everything from glasses to surgical procedures, is the traditional and essential path for physical correction.

However, a truly effective approach cannot ignore the profound emotional and psychosocial impact that strabismus can cause. Anxiety, the stress from social interactions, and the struggle against a negative self-image are silent battles fought by many patients. It is at this point that the vision of healthcare needs to expand. Treating the patient means looking at the person in their entirety, understanding their physical and emotional pains.

For health professionals, this represents an opportunity to deepen their practice and offer more comprehensive support. Scientific hypnosis, when applied ethically and based on evidence, emerges as a powerful tool. It does not promise to cure the physical deviation but directly acts on the emotional and behavioral responses that greatly affect quality of life, helping to build resilience, confidence, and well-being.

Integrating emotional health care into the treatment of conditions such as strabismus is the future of a more humanized and efficient healthcare practice. By doing so, you not only enhance the results of conventional treatments but also empower your patients to live more fully and confidently.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Discover the training and postgraduate courses in evidence-based hypnosis from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is strabismus and what are its main causes?

Strabismus is the misalignment of the visual axes, resulting in difficulty focusing and binocular vision. Causes include congenital factors, refractive errors (such as myopia and hyperopia), neurological diseases, head injuries, and systemic diseases like diabetes. Identifying the cause is crucial for effective treatment.

What are the most common types of strabismus and their signs?

Common types of strabismus include esotropia (eyes inward), exotropia (eyes outward), hypertropia (eyes upward), and hypotropia (eyes downward). Signs include visible eye deviation, difficulty focusing, head tilting, and complaints of double vision. These symptoms indicate the need for ophthalmological evaluation.

How is the diagnosis made and what conventional treatments exist?

The diagnosis is made by ophthalmologists through visual acuity and occlusion tests. Treatments include corrective glasses, occlusion therapy, botulinum toxin application, and alignment surgery. Treatment depends on the severity and cause of strabismus, aiming to align the eyes and prevent amblyopia.

How can hypnosis help patients with strabismus?

Scientific hypnosis offers emotional support to patients with strabismus, helping to modify how they react to social situations. This approach can reduce anxiety, improve self-image, and provide coping strategies. While it does not cure physical misalignment, hypnosis enhances emotional health and overall well-being.

What is the importance of a holistic approach in the treatment of strabismus?

A holistic approach considers both the physical and emotional aspects of strabismus. Treating only the physical aspect is not enough, as emotional issues like anxiety and low self-esteem affect quality of life. Integrating emotional support with conventional treatments results in better outcomes and greater well-being for patients.