What an ocular head posture is
An abnormal head posture, sometimes called torticollis, is common in children. It may be present from birth or develop later. The cause can be orthopaedic or neurological, but in some cases it is a visual disorder.
An ocular head posture occurs when a person unconsciously tilts or turns the head, up or down, left or right, into the position in which their vision is clearest or most comfortable.
Eye-related causes
Misaligned eyes
Crossed or misaligned eyes lead the person to adopt a head position in which the eyes are better aligned. They naturally turn the head away from the weaker eye, which produces an unusual head position.
Wobbly eyes (nystagmus)
Rapid, involuntary eye movements are another reason for a changed head posture. When the person finds a position that slows the jerky movements, the head tends to stay in that tilted or turned position. This position is called the null point, and it gives the person their clearest vision.
Poor vision from a lazy eye or refractive error
With poor vision, a person naturally brings the head closer to the object to see it more clearly. When only one eye sees clearly, the side of the head with the weaker eye is turned away from the object.
Droopy eyelid (ptosis)
A person with a droopy eyelid sees better with the chin tilted up. When the ptosis is left untreated, the abnormal head position is held for a long time, which can lead to headaches and neck tension.
Risks of an abnormal head posture
Patients are not asked to correct the head posture directly, because the right approach is to treat the underlying eye problem that causes it. It is still important to be aware of the effects of keeping the head at an unusual angle for a long time:
- Persistent muscle tension: tightness in the neck muscles, which is very uncomfortable
- Long-term headache and neck pain: pain that keeps returning or never fully goes away
- Facial asymmetry: changes in the development of the facial bones that can alter appearance over time
Assessment at Spanish Eye Clinic
Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai has a team of doctors, eye surgeons and medical staff who assess abnormal head posture to find out whether an eye condition is behind it, whatever the complexity of the case. We use current equipment and aim to keep every patient comfortable and informed from the first consultation to the end of the treatment plan. If you would like an abnormal head posture assessed, book an appointment with our team.