Strabismus in an 8-year old?

I just came home from an appt with our ped for my 8yo daughter.  I thought I had noticed a slight turning of her left eye inward but hoped it was my imagination.  It wasn't.

I'm concerned that because of her age something more sinister than a vision problem might be causing her turn-in.  Is it common for a child as old as 8 to get a diagnosis of strabismus?  How concerned do I need to be about a brain tumor?  We have an appointment with a ped. opthamologist next week.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is extremely common. Brain tumors a a cause of strabismus (eye muscle problems) is very unusual. Keep the appointment VIP

JCH III MD

[zellyf]

Thank you so much for easing a worried mother's mind.  I will definitely be keeping the appointment.  Have a great weekend.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You too
JCH

[zellyf]

Follow-up:  The appointment with the opthalmologist revealed...nothing.  Her vision is perfect and not only does her eye not appear to be crossing but she has better than average depth perception.  I was seeing something that wasn't there, I guess.  How the pediatrician saw it too I don't know.  Hopefully the opthalmologist is right (and there were certainly tons of gadgets and eye drops and charts being employed, she seemed to my untrained eye to be quite thorough).

Eye-crossing caused by intercranial mass or anything else would certainly affect depth perception, right?  And cause double vision?  I can let this go now?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I think you can let it go and just observe for changes.

Google the term "pseudostrabismus"   it explains how in infants and young children the eye often looks crossed even when its straight due the extra fold of skin present in the child's inner eye (epicanthal fold) this fold goes away as the child grows.

Very happy for you.

JCH II MD

[zellyf]

Thank you, Dr. Hagan.  I'll check that out.  Have a nice night.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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