Examination of fixation using vertical prisms is useful in diagnosing amblyopia in the absence of strabismus.
An eye doctor (ophthalmologist) needs to determine whether the eye turn is true strabismus or pseudostrabismus.
In the slighter forms no inconvenience may result; but in higher degrees prolonged work is apt to give rise to aching and watering of the eyes, headache, inability to read or sew for any length of time, and even to double vision and internal strabismus.
Eleven patients ultimately required strabismus surgery of whom 8 had manifest strabismus before decompression.
If detected early, strabismus can be corrected by eye exercises, spectacles or - as a last resort - surgery.