A visual condition characterized by one eye not maintaining a parallel relationship with the other eye because one or more of the ocular muscles is paralyzed. It results in blurred vision, headache, and diplopia. If left untreated, blindness in the weak eye will result.
A condition in which the eyes focus on different points.
Crossed eyes, often resulting from lack of coordination between the eyes; a kind of eye and vision problem that may indicate disorders of the brain, such as a brain tumor.
Condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned; it may be inherited or result from trauma or injury to the eye or brain. Strabismus may be convergent, in which the eyes are directed inward toward each other; or divergent, in which one or both eyes are directed outward. Some forms of strabismus can be corrected in early childhood by the child wearing a patch over the normal eye, so that the deviating eye must be used; other types can be corrected surgically but some amblyopia will often remain. Also called squint.
Disorder of the eye alignment where one eye deviates from the point of focus.
Misalignment of the eyes so they point in different directions; also known as crossed eyes. In esotropia, the most common form of strabismus in infants, one eye turns inward. Accommodative esotropia mostly affects children who are farsighted (have difficulty focusing on close objects). Trying to focus the eyes for vision at short distances causes the eyes to cross. In exotropia one eye turns outward. Exotropia is most likely to be obvious when a person is trying to focus on a distant object or when he or she is tired, ill, or daydreaming.
Any abnormal alignment of the two eyes. The strabismus is most commonly horizontal: convergent strabismus (esotropia) or divergent strabismus (esotropia), but it may be vertical (hypertropia, in which the eye looks upward, or hypotropia, in which it looks downward). In rare cases both eyes look toward the same point but one is twisted clockwise or counterclockwise in relation to the other (cyclotropia). Double vision is always experienced, but the image from the deviating eye usually becomes ignored. In cyclotropia the image is not separated from the normal one but tilted across it. Most strabismus is concomitant, i.e. the abnormal alignment of the two eyes remains fairly constant, in whatever direction the person is looking. This is usual with childhood squints. Strabismus acquired by injury or disease is usually incomitant, i.e. the degree of misalignment varies in different directions of gaze.
A disorder of the eye in which optic axes cannot be directed to the same object. This disorder is present in about 4% of children. The squinting eye always deviates to the same extent when the eyes are carried in different directions: unilateral when the same eye always deviates; alternating when either deviates, the other being fixed; constant when the squint remains permanent; periodic when the eyes are occasionally free from it. Strabismus can result from reduced visual acuity, unequal ocular muscle tone, or an oculomotor nerve lesion.
Strabismus is a condition characterized by the misalignment of the eyes, causing them to point in different directions. One eye may appear to be focused straight ahead, while the other deviates inward, outward, upward, or downward. This condition is also commonly referred to as crossed-eyes.
Eye squints during early months of life are common and typically aren’t a cause for concern. However, in infants, a persistent and pronounced squint can suggest a problem with the eye muscles. Some diseases, like meningitis, can cause temporary squints. Between ages two to six is when squints are most frequently observed. The main reasons for these squints include vision errors, overall weakness, and nervous system issues. Fortunately, many squints resolve once vision issues are addressed with glasses. For older children, eye exercises, or orthoptic methods, can be used to help the eye muscles work together more effectively. If left untreated, the brain might ignore the input from the squinting eye, which can sometimes result in permanent vision loss. This is why it’s often recommended to cover a squinting eye for some time until the issue is resolved. It’s crucial for children with squints to see an eye specialist to determine the best treatment for preserving vision and correcting the squint.