Beyond the visual aspect, strabismus in adults can become a deeply conditioning experience on social, emotional, and psychological levels. Claudia Caballero, a specialized optometrist, advocates in this interview for a more human, empathetic, and integrative approach to treatment, where Vision Therapy is combined with respectful and conscious emotional support. This reflection invites a reconsideration of the role of vision professionals in the face of realities that have often remained silent for years.
What are some of the most common challenges faced by adults with strabismus in their daily lives?
Strabismus in adults not only affects vision but also their daily lives in more subtle yet equally significant ways. Many patients report difficulties with depth perception, which can interfere with everyday tasks such as driving, walking in crowded spaces, or playing sports, among others.
This is compounded by the visual strain that comes from the constant effort to compensate for or control eye deviation, which often leads to visual fatigue, headaches, or difficulties in maintaining concentration on activities that require prolonged visual attention, such as using screens.
Furthermore, the social impact is not insignificant: the fear of eye contact, the insecurity about the possibility that others may notice the deviation, or simply the discomfort of feeling observed for this reason, can limit interaction with others and directly affect the patient's self-esteem.
What emotional and interpersonal effects can strabismus cause?
On an emotional level, strabismus can create a deep sense of insecurity, especially in social situations where eye contact plays a key role. Many adults with this condition experience embarrassment or anxiety when speaking face-to-face, which can lead them to avoid meetings, interviews, or even something as everyday as looking someone in the eye.
Over time, this accumulated tension can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, and even symptoms of anxiety or depression. Furthermore, as it is not always understood by those around them, many people feel that they must hide or downplay their situation, which further increases the emotional burden they carry.
What role should the optometrist play in helping to manage the personal negative effects that ocular deviation has on a patient?
The optometrist plays a fundamental role, not only from a clinical approach but also as an empathetic and validating support figure. Each ocular deviation often comes with an emotional story that, in many cases, has remained silent for years. Therefore, it is crucial that we listen actively, that we view the patient holistically, and that we do not reduce their experience to objective data or ocular motor function.
As vision professionals, we also have the responsibility to highlight the emotional impact that strabismus can have, to talk about it naturally, and to provide tools that not only improve visual function but also support the patient in accepting their image and in rebuilding their self-esteem and confidence.
"To see and to be seen, in every sense, go hand in hand."
Why is it important to integrate psychological and emotional support in the treatment of strabismus in adults?
Because the treatment of strabismus in adults cannot be solely technical: it must also be profoundly human. Many patients arrive with a long emotional history linked to their condition, marked by difficult experiences at different stages of life. Although visual therapy can significantly improve ocular function and aesthetics, in some cases it is not enough if it is not accompanied by the internal process that each person has experienced.
The integration with psychology professionals allows for a more comprehensive and respectful approach to each patient's individual history. In certain situations, emotional support is key to helping them reframe their experience, boost their self-esteem, and manage emotions such as shame, fear, or insecurity. Additionally, creating a safe therapeutic environment can often facilitate personal visual progress. Seeing and being seen, in every sense, go hand in hand.
