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Abstract
Purpose: To increase awareness of the causal relationship between illicit drug use in pregnancy and the occurrence of strabismus in children amongst the relevant professionals and encourage the use of local arrangements for referral, assessment and treatment of this population at risk.
Method: A review of the literature regarding the occurrence of strabismus in children of mothers misusing substances and an outline the consequences of strabismus.
Results: Children prenatally exposed to the effects of psychoactive substances are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioural abnormalities; ocular defects are frequently mentioned as some of them. Strabismus, the consequences of which are treatable, is amongst these.
Conclusion: Research in this area is challenging, but while more evidence is awaited, current evidence indicates the increased risk of strabismus in this group and recommendations regarding the early detection of, and referral for, this condition are made.