What is one of the most common treatments for strabismus?

Patch therapy is one of the most common treatments for strabismus, particularly when it is used to help correct amblyopia, which often coexists with strabismus, especially in children. This treatment involves covering the dominant eye with a patch to encourage the use of the weaker eye, promoting better visual development and coordination between the eyes.

By forcing the brain to rely on the weaker eye, patch therapy can help reduce the misalignment and improve visual perception over time. It is particularly effective in younger patients whose visual systems are still developing, making this non-invasive approach often a first-line treatment for strabismus before considering more invasive options like surgery.

Other treatments such as surgery, botulinum toxin injections, and laser therapy may also be utilized, but these are typically considered when patch therapy is insufficient or if the strabismus is of a more severe or nonsurgical nature. Hence, patch therapy stands out as a common and effective initial treatment strategy for managing strabismus in pediatric patients.