👁️ Untreated Strabismus – Complications

✅ Answer: (D) Both (B) & (C)

📖 What is Strabismus?

Strabismus = Misalignment of the eyes (also called squint or crossed eyes).

👉 One eye looks straight while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. As a result, the brain receives two different images.

📖 What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia = Lazy eye

👉 To avoid double vision, the brain gradually ignores the image from the misaligned eye. Over time, this causes poor visual development, known as amblyopia.

If not treated during early childhood, amblyopia can result in permanent reduction of vision in the affected eye.

🩺 Why is Option (D) Correct?

Untreated strabismus may cause:

• ✔ Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
• ✔ Permanent loss of vision (reduced visual acuity) in the affected eye if amblyopia is left untreated

👉 Therefore, when both options are listed, the correct answer is (D) Both (B) & (C).

❌ Why Other Options Are Wrong?

(A) Cataract
❌ Cataract is clouding of the eye’s lens and is not caused by strabismus.

(B) Amblyopia
✅ Correct, but incomplete because longstanding untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent loss of vision in that eye.

(C) Loss of Vision in the Affected Eye
✅ This occurs as a consequence of untreated amblyopia, but the most accurate option is Both (B) & (C).

📝 Progression of Untreated Strabismus

📌 Exam Tip: The primary complication of untreated strabismus is amblyopia. If amblyopia is not treated during the critical period of visual development, it can result in permanent reduction of vision in the affected eye. Therefore, when both are given as options, choose “Both (B) & (C)”.