Crossed eyes
| Strabismus | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Heterotropia, crossed eyes, squint |
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| Strabismus results in the eyes not aiming at the same point in space. Shown here is a case of the exotropic type | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology |
| Symptoms | Non aligned eyes |
| Complications | Amblyopia, double vision |
| Types | Esotropia (eyes crossed); exotropia (eyes diverge); hypertropia (eyes vertically misaligned) |
| Causes | Muscle dysfunction, farsightedness, problems in the brain, trauma, infections |
| Risk factors | Premature birth, cerebral palsy, family history |
| Diagnostic method | Observing light reflected from the pupil |
| Similar conditions | Cranial nerve disease |
| Treatment | Glasses, surgery |
| Frequency | ~2% (children) |
| Classification |
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| External resources |
Strabismus, also called crossed eyes, is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. The eye which is focused on an object can alternate. The condition may be present occasionally or constantly. If present during a large part of childhood, it may result in amblyopia or loss of depth perception. If onset is during adulthood, it is more likely to result in double vision.
Strabismus can occur due to muscle dysfunction, farsightedness, problems in the brain, trauma, or infections. Risk factors include premature birth, cerebral palsy, and a family history of the condition. Types include esotropia where the eyes are crossed; exotropia where the eyes diverge; and hypertropia where they are vertically misaligned. They can also be classified by whether the problem is present in all directions a person looks (comitant) or varies by direction (incomitant). Diagnosis may be made by observing the light reflecting from the person's eyes and finding that it is not centered on the pupil. Another condition that produces similar symptoms is a cranial nerve disease.
Treatment depends on the type of strabismus and the underlying cause. This may include the use of glasses and possibly surgery. Some types benefit from early surgery. Strabismus occurs in about 2% of children. The term is from the Greek strabismós meaning "to squint". Other terms for the condition include "squint", and "cast of the eye". "Wall-eye" has been used when the eyes turn away from each other.
When observing a person with strabismus, the misalignment of the eyes may be quite apparent. A patient with a constant eye turn of significant magnitude is very easy to notice. However, a small magnitude or intermittent strabismus can easily be missed upon casual observation. In any case, an eye care professional can conduct various tests, such as cover testing, to determine the full extent of the strabismus.
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Wikipedia