Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes, where they do not point in the same direction. One eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards relative to the other.
Types and Presentation
Strabismus can be constant or intermittent and may appear in infancy or later. Some cases are associated with refractive errors, while others result from muscle or nerve problems.
- Esotropia: inward turning of one or both eyes
- Exotropia: outward deviation
- Vertical deviations can also occur
Consequences
In children, persistent misalignment can lead to amblyopia if the brain suppresses input from one eye. Adults often notice double vision when strabismus develops suddenly.
Treatment
Management includes glasses (especially for accommodative esotropia), prisms, orthoptic exercises, and strabismus surgery. Blue Fin Vision®’s educational content on amblyopia and childhood eye tests provides related background.
