If you have any concerns about your vision, you should see your GP or see an Optometrist at your local Optician as soon as possible.
As strabismus can present in different ways and with different causes, not everyone who has strabismus will have exactly the same symptoms. It is best to see a specialist as soon as possible. Your GP can refer you to see an Ophthalmologist so an appointment with your GP could be your first port of call.
Sometimes an Optometrist will spot something during your routine eye check at your local Optician, and this may result in them writing to your GP and asking them to refer you to a specialist. I wrote this because this was my experience, my referral had to go via my GP. However, I also understand that it is also possible for Optometrists to refer patients directly to Specialist services.
You can also speak to 111 (in the UK) for advice if you are worried about your symptoms and they will advise you of what to do next. A sudden onset of double vision (diplopia) should be taken seriously. Please don’t diagnose your own condition via online searches, seek professional advice.
If you have already been diagnosed with strabismus and you are struggling to manage the physical symptoms, do contact your clinical team via their admin staff, or, if there is one, speak to the ECLO (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer).
Help with psycho-social issues related to strabismus
The psycho-social impact of living with strabismus can be significant and debilitating. If you are struggling with low mood and low self-esteem due to strabismus, please seek help.
Moorfields Eye Hospitals offers a counselling service to its patients, which is excellent. It’s rare to find counselling that specifically supports patients with eye conditions, children and adults.
Counsellors – Moorfields Eye Hospital
Whilst it would be preferable to speak with a mental health worker who knows about strabismus, it might be difficult to find someone with in-depth knowledge of the condition. Do not let this put you off; a good therapist will still be able to provide you with support. It’s important to talk to someone. Your GP can refer you to NHS Talking Therapies.
In addition, there are many excellent charities who can provide free support via their helplines, such as :
Mind – http://www.mind.org.uk
The Samaritans – http://www.samaritans.org.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – http://www.thecalmzone.net
CALM is particularly good for men (but women can contact them as well) who are struggling with their mental health for various reasons i.e money worries, stress, relationship issues (strabismus can affect all of these areas). It’s well documented that men are less likely, in general, than women to seek support related to their physical and mental health. It’s also a sad fact that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of fifty.
If you are struggling with practical issues related to a recent strabismus diagnosis, one of these issues may be at work. Your employer should consider making what are legally termed as ‘reasonable adjustments’. I suggest that, before you discuss this with your employer, you speak with an advice service such as Citizen’s Advice or RNIB. You can also find information online at the gov.uk website.
Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions – GOV.UK
if you really feel you don’t want to talk to a stranger, or to an external agency, do reach out to a friend or family member to let someone know you are struggling. Don’t suffer in silence.