Strabology
My subspecialty: the diagnosis and treatment of strabismus, amblyopia and binocular vision disorders, in children and adults.
My interest in strabismus began back in medical school, which is why I had the opportunity to complete a rotation at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London (the largest ophthalmology hospital in Europe), in the pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus department. Later, through an Erasmus scholarship, I completed a rotation at Mater Dei Hospital in Malta, in the pediatric ophthalmology department. My graduation thesis, titled “Surgery of the Oblique Muscles,” was also on this topic.
From my residency to the present day, I have had the privilege of visiting other major strabismus centers in Europe (Gießen, Copenhagen, Madrid, and London), where I observed the examination and surgical treatment of strabismus patients. This is a source of pride for me, as it gave me the opportunity to learn from world-renowned mentors in this field.
Strabismus means the two eyes do not look in the same direction: one eye may turn inward, outward, up or down. It can be constant or intermittent and can appear at any age. Beyond appearance, untreated strabismus in a child can lead to amblyopia (a “lazy eye”) and loss of depth perception.
In children, early detection is essential. I assess eye alignment, the presence of amblyopia and the need for optical correction, then we build a plan together: from glasses and patching (covering the stronger eye) to exercises and, when needed, a surgical indication.
Strabismus in adults may be long-standing, recurrent or newly developed. It sometimes causes double vision and discomfort. I assess the cause, measure the deviation, and discuss the options: prisms, treatment of any underlying amblyopia, or surgical correction to realign the eyes.
Book an assessment if you notice an eye that drifts, a habitually tilted head, frequent squinting, double vision, or if a paediatric check flagged a vision problem. The earlier the assessment, the better the outcomes.