Pediatric care · Murray Hill, NYC
Strabismus and Nystagmus Support for Children in NYC
You notice one of your child's eyes drifting in or out. Or their eyes make small, quick movements they can't control, and they tilt their head to see better. These may be signs of strabismus or nystagmus. Both are eye movement conditions that usually begin in childhood.
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C., is a Certified Craniosacral Therapist and a licensed chiropractor since 2000. He doesn't treat the eyes directly. At his office in Murray Hill, he uses gentle craniosacral therapy (CST) and soft chiropractic care to help the nervous system work better. In his view, that may have a positive effect on the eyes.
This care is not a substitute for an eye doctor. Many families are referred to Dr. Kaminsky by their child's eye doctor, and his care works alongside that care.
See a Pediatric Eye Doctor First
An eye turn should be checked soon by a pediatric ophthalmologist. About one in three children with an eye turn develops amblyopia, or "lazy eye." That's when the brain starts to ignore one eye. If amblyopia isn't treated in time, the vision loss can become permanent.
Standard treatments include glasses, patching, eye drops, and sometimes eye muscle surgery. Please keep your child's eye care in place. A sudden new eye turn or new shaking of the eyes also needs a prompt medical exam.
In New York, schools screen students' vision in pre-K or kindergarten and in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11. A school screening is helpful, but it is not a full eye exam. If you notice an eye turn at home, don't wait for the next screening.
Strabismus vs. Nystagmus: What's the Difference?
Parents often confuse the two conditions, so here is a simple way to tell them apart.
Strabismus
The eyes don't point in the same direction at the same time. One eye may turn in ("crossed eyes"), out ("wall-eyed"), up, or down. It is fairly common, affecting almost 1 in 20 children. Signs include:
- One eye that drifts while the other is focused
- Squinting or closing one eye, especially in bright light
- Tilting or turning the head to see
- Rubbing the eyes or complaining of tired eyes
Nystagmus
The eyes make repeated movements the child can't control. They may move side to side, up and down, or in a circle. Many children turn their head to a certain angle where the shaking slows. This is often called the "null point," and it helps them see more clearly.
Both conditions can be present from birth or appear later in childhood, and some children have both.
How Dr. Kaminsky's Care May Help
The nerves that move the eyes
Three cranial nerves control the muscles that move the eyes. All three begin in the brainstem at the base of the skull. In Dr. Kaminsky's view, tension in the skull bones and the layers around the brain may add stress along these nerves. Sometimes that tension comes from a hard birth or an early fall. One skull bone, the sphenoid, forms part of each eye socket. In his experience, tension in the sphenoid can play a part in eye issues, so he pays close attention to it.
Gentle, combined care
Dr. Kaminsky uses light-touch CST on the head, face, and neck, about the weight of a nickel. When helpful, he adds gentle chiropractic care for the upper neck. There is no cracking or twisting. Each session is adjusted to your child's age and comfort.
What the research says
Published research in this area is very limited. A 2013 case report in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia described chiropractic care for an 18-month-old girl with strabismus. A single case can't show that a treatment will work for other children. Results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Head Tilt: Eyes or Neck?
A head tilt in a baby or toddler can come from tight neck muscles, called torticollis. It can also come from the eyes, when a child tilts their head to line up their vision. That's one more reason a pediatric eye exam matters. If your child's eyes have been checked and neck tightness is part of the picture, Dr. Kaminsky also offers torticollis treatment.
What to Expect at Your Child's Visit
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1HistoryDr. Kaminsky asks about birth, falls, developmental milestones, and your child's eye care so far. Please bring any reports from your child's eye doctor. Here's more on what happens at a first visit.
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2Gentle hands-on careYour child stays fully clothed while light-touch CST focuses on the head, face, neck, and sacrum.
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3A planDr. Kaminsky will explain what he found and suggest how often to come in, with visits scheduled around eye doctor appointments and school.
Why Families Choose Dr. Kaminsky
- Works alongside your eye doctor: Care fits around glasses, patching, and eye appointments.
- Two kinds of training: He is a chiropractor and a Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-T, Upledger).
- After-school hours: Appointments run until 9 pm Monday through Thursday at 36 East 36th Street in Murray Hill.
See also pediatric craniosacral therapy, pediatric chiropractic care, and Dr. Kaminsky's training and background.
Cost and Payment
The office does not take insurance. You'll get an itemized superbill for possible out-of-network refunds. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. See current rates on our cost page.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can craniosacral therapy fix strabismus?
No one can promise that. Dr. Kaminsky doesn't treat the eyes directly. CST aims to ease tension in the head and neck and help the nervous system work better. It does not replace glasses, patching, or surgery recommended by your child's eye doctor.
Will my baby outgrow crossed eyes?
Occasional crossing in the first few months is common. But eyes that turn inward after about 3 months, or drift outward after about 4 months, are not typical. They usually don't go away on their own, so a pediatric ophthalmologist should check them. Some babies only look cross-eyed because of a wide nasal bridge. An eye doctor can tell the difference.
Should we stop patching or glasses?
No. Keep following your eye doctor's treatment plan, since CST is meant to work alongside it.
What is the difference between strabismus and nystagmus?
Strabismus means the eyes point in different directions, while nystagmus means the eyes make repeated movements the child can't control. A pediatric ophthalmologist can tell which one your child has.
How young can my child be?
Dr. Kaminsky treats infants, toddlers, and older children, adjusting his approach to each child's age and stage of development.
Can we come after school?
Yes. Appointments run until 9 pm Monday through Thursday and until 6 pm on Friday. All visits are by appointment.
Schedule a visit
Call to Schedule
If your child has strabismus or nystagmus and you'd like to add gentle hands-on care, call or text 212-328-1180 to talk with Dr. Kaminsky. Visits are by appointment at 36 East 36th Street in Murray Hill.