Esotropia is an inward turning of one or both eyes. It can appear in childhood or later life.
Childhood causes
In children, esotropia often relates to focusing effort or muscle imbalance. Early treatment helps prevent amblyopia lazy eye.
- Accommodative esotropia linked with long-sightedness
- Congenital esotropia appearing in the first months of life
- Developmental imbalance between eye muscles
- Family history increases risk in some cases
Adult-onset causes
In adults, new esotropia may produce double vision and often has an underlying neurological or mechanical cause.
- Decompensated childhood squint becoming symptomatic
- Cranial nerve palsies affecting eye muscles
- Thyroid eye disease or orbital trauma
- Any recent-onset eye turn with double vision needs urgent review
