Most strabismus occurs in children and is treated by pediatric ophthalmologists. But the condition, which is characterized by a misalignment of the eyes, can be present in adults, too.
“Adults can develop strabismus and double vision from a variety of causes that are different from what occurs in children,” explains Prem Subramanian, MD, PhD, professor and Clifford R. and Janice N. Merrill Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Those of us who specialize in taking care of adults often have a different perspective and skill set because the needs are a little bit different.”
In the newly developed Unified Adult Strabismus Clinic at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Subramanian and Emily McCourt, MD, associate professor and the Ponzio Family Chair for Pediatric Ophthalmology, combined their experience and specialty to enhance patient access and streamline care for various patient populations.
“We wanted to amplify the care and expertise in a way that made sense for our patients, and this clinic does that by addressing the various needs that adult patients and patients who are transitioning into adult care may have,” Subramanian says.
In this interview, Subramanian explains what adult strabismus is, how diagnosing and treating adults differs from pediatric cases, and why specialized care remains so important: