Paralytic strabismus

This type of strabismus is caused by ocular palsy, which can either be total or fractional. Strabismus due to ocular palsy, also called “strabismus inconcomitans”, can manifest itself either as (a) a total palsy (paralysis) or as (b) a weakness of the ocular muscle or fractional palsy (paresis). In any case a thorough examination of the possible causes should be undertaken. This includes an extensive neurological examination, a check-up at an ENT (ear-nose-throat)-physician and possibly a radiological clarification. Ocular palsy can heal up spontaneously. Out of this reason, surgery is normally only taken into consideration approximately a year after the palsy emerges. During this time the reasons for the palsy are examined and investigated. It is important to exclude diseases of the central nervous system, since they may also result in palsy. This is the only possibility for a specific therapy of the ocular palsy.