Treatment of strabismus in adults

Strabismus affects approximately one in every twenty adults. It is more difficult to correct than in children, since the visual system is already fully formed in adults and less responsive to change. Nevertheless, at Crystal Vision clinics we successfully treat adult strabismus and its complications. For each patient we select individualised treatment methods that allow this ophthalmological condition to be effectively corrected.

As a result, our patients achieve excellent outcomes — not only gaining a significantly improved cosmetic appearance, but also experiencing a marked improvement in vision.

Before

After

Crystal Vision's strabismus treatment outcomes are among the best in Russia and internationally!

98% full strabismus rehabilitation

For over 25 years, thanks to our unique technologies, highly qualified doctors, and adherence to international standards of medical care, we have maintained a leading position in ophthalmology.

Experienced surgeons

State-of-the-art pre-operative diagnostics

Innovative STRABO Care System for strabismus treatment and diagnostics

Internationally certified clinic

Minimally traumatic procedures

High-frequency radio wave surgery

STRABO soft mathematical surgical modelling for strabismus and nystagmus

Reduced recovery times

Find out more about Crystal Vision's unique technologies

Our primary priority is high clinical effectiveness.

Our strabismus diagnostic methods

Accurate diagnostics — the key to successful strabismus treatment!

Mathematical surgical modelling

We have developed and introduced the STRABO method of individual mathematical modelling for strabismus surgery in both children and adults, enabling surgical precision to be calculated to a fraction of a millimetre.
This allows symmetrical eye alignment to be achieved, taking into account the unique anatomical characteristics of each patient. STRABO technology also allows the patient and their family to see clearly how the eyes will look after surgery, helping them to better understand and make a decision about treatment.
Furthermore, modelling helps reduce the number of surgical stages and the number of operations required, significantly facilitating and accelerating recovery.

Gazelab video-oculograph

Examination using the Gazelab device allows precise determination of the angle of strabismus under natural conditions, in all directions of gaze (upward, downward, into the distance, etc.) — essential for selecting the most effective treatment approach, calibrating therapeutic devices, and determining the patient management strategy. In paralytic strabismus, Gazelab assesses ocular motility, which is necessary for accurate surgical planning and monitoring post-operative recovery.

This approach ensures high precision in the treatment of both strabismus and nystagmus.

Comprehensive in-depth vision diagnostics in all planes

For full details of all diagnostic methods at Crystal Vision, please visit the relevant page.

Innovative strabismus treatment at Crystal Vision

The modern classification includes over 25 types of strabismus, differing in their causes and clinical presentations. Our treatment approach is always individualised — we do not use template methods, but select the approach based on the type of pathology.

Thanks to our unique technologies and extensive clinical experience, we successfully correct even the most complex cases of strabismus. Our armamentarium includes over 30 treatment protocols, and for each patient we select the optimal method, taking into account the specific nature of the oculomotor disorder causing the strabismus.

Treatment of strabismus using the STRABO Care system

Both conservative and surgical methods are used to correct strabismus in adults.

Minimally traumatic surgery

Surgery is the primary and most effective method for correcting strabismus in adults, allowing complete elimination of the ocular deviation. Our clinics use minimally traumatic radio wave surgery in combination with the individualised STRABO mathematical modelling programme. Parameters such as the angle of strabismus, interpupillary distance, axial length, degree of ametropia and other individual patient characteristics are all taken into account.

High-frequency radio wave surgery allows us to:

Minimise surgical tissue trauma
Ensure high precision throughout
Preserve the epithelial layers, which are important for healing
Preserve vascular and neural bundles intact
Reduce the duration of surgery and the recovery period

This approach delivers a precise and predictable correction outcome, reducing the number of operations required and improving the quality of recovery. Procedures are performed on an outpatient basis under controlled, safe general anaesthesia, enabling patients to recover quickly and undergo treatment safely and effectively.

Therapeutic methods

Strabismus in adults can also be treated without surgery; however, all conservative methods are considered supplementary. They are typically effective only as adjunctive treatment, preparation for surgery, or post-operative rehabilitation.

These approaches can be divided into the following categories:

Optical correction (glasses or contact lens fitting)
Pleoptic treatment (improving visual acuity)

Optical correction (glasses or contact lens fitting)
- Comprehensive strabismus treatment within the DAVS STRABO package
- Restoration of binocular vision, and treatment of amblyopia and strabismus using STRABO liquid crystal glasses

Pleoptic treatment is aimed at stimulating the weaker eye and includes:

Electromagnetic stimulation — improves blood supply to ocular tissues.
Laser stimulation — provides physiological stimulation of the retina, which may help correct strabismus.
Electrical stimulation — improves metabolic processes and blood flow, stimulating the activity of ocular structures.
Light-colour stimulation — uses light of a specific spectrum to activate visual function.
Reflexotherapy — restores visual balance through stimulation of active points, often using orbital acupuncture devices.
Vibromassage — mechanically stimulates the eyes through the eyelids to improve circulation and relieve tension.

Orthoptic treatment helps coordinate the work of the eyes using:

Synoptophore — trains the brain to combine the images from each eye into a single three-dimensional image.
Computer programmes — games and exercises designed to improve visual skills.
Binarimeter — teaches separation of visual fields, which may be useful for treating strabismus in children without surgery.
STRABO oscillating liquid crystal glasses — help develop binocular vision through alternating stimulation of the eyes, and can be used at home.

Following correction of constant or intermittent strabismus in adults, the outcome is high visual acuity, symmetrical eye alignment, and restored stereoscopic perception.

Causes of strabismus in adults

Strabismus in adults may be residual (the result of uncorrected childhood pathology) or acquired.

Cosmetic procedures (botulinum toxin injections)
Head trauma causing damage to nerve centres, oculomotor nerves, or muscles
Serious diseases or injuries of the maxillofacial apparatus
Stressful events (often associated with the onset of intermittent strabismus in adults)
Brain tumours
Strokes
Neuroinfections (encephalitis, meningitis)
Ophthalmological conditions (cataract, corneal clouding)
Endocrine disorders (e.g. changes in iodine-containing hormone levels)
Encephalopathies (brain damage resulting from various internal or external toxic processes)

In some cases, the origin of strabismus in adults cannot be established. Correction of strabismus in adults is always preceded by a detailed examination, which sometimes reveals serious underlying conditions that caused it and require separate treatment.
There is a view that correcting strabismus in adulthood is pointless, since the visual system is stable and significant improvement is unlikely. Can strabismus be corrected in adults? Our clinical experience demonstrates that it can — in 98% of cases.

Classification and symptoms

Forms of strabismus:

Concomitant
Convergent
Divergent

Paralytic
Constant
Intermittent

Vertical
Monocular
Alternating

Intermittent strabismus in adults in particular often arises against a background of functional disorders of the nervous system and resolves once these are addressed.

Typical symptoms present in all forms of strabismus:

Reduced visual acuity
Diplopia (double vision)
Impaired coordination
Loss of three-dimensional vision
Headaches and dizziness

In the presence of strabismus, vision in the deviating eye gradually deteriorates — sometimes significantly — making correction mandatory. Can strabismus be treated in an adult? The experience of our clinics allows us to answer with a firm yes.

Welcome to Crystal Vision!