Strabismus is a visual problem in which the eyes are not aligned properly and point in a directions that deviates from straight ahead. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. The eye turn may be consistent, or it may be intermittent. The eye which is misaligned may also alternate with “normal” eye.
Strabismus is a common condition among children but it may also occur later in life.
Infantile esotropia is a common strabismus found in infants where the eye turns inward at a very young stage. Young children with esotropia (inward deviation) cannot use their eyes together to create a single clear image that is fused with both eyes. Accommodative esotropia is the most common form of inward deviation that occurs in children usually 2 years or older whereby when the child focuses the eyes turn inward. This crossing may occur when focusing at a distance, near or both.
Exotropia (outward devation) is another common type of strabismus. This occurs most often when a child is focusing on distant objects. The exotropia may occur only from time to time, particularly when a child is daydreaming, ill or tired. Parents often notice that the child squints one eye in bright sunlight.
It is best to do a comprehensive eye test to ensure the type of strabismus, what management should be made use of and what the future progression would include.