what is Strabismus?

Strabismus, esotropia and exotropia, crosseyed, cross eye

Strabismus refers to misaligned eyes. Esotropia (“crossed” eyes) occurs when the eyes turn inward. Exotropia occurs when the eyes turn outward. When one eye is higher than the other, it is called hypertropia (for the higher eye) or hypotropia (for the lower eye). Misaligned eyes can be subtle or obvious, and can occur occasionally or constantly. It can affect one eye or shift between the eyes.

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Strabismus usually begins in infancy or childhood. Some toddlers have accommodative esotropia. Their eyes cross because they need glasses for farsightedness. But most cases of misaligned eyes do not have a well-understood cause. It seems to develop because the eye muscles are uncoordinated and do not move the eyes together. Acquired strabismus can occasionally occur because of a problem in the brain, an injury to the eye socket, or thyroid eye disease.


When young children develop misaligned eyes, they typically have mild symptoms. They may hold their heads to one side if they can use their eyes together in that position. Or, they may close or cover one eye when it deviates, especially at first. Adults, on the other hand, have more symptoms when they develop misaligned eyes. They have double vision (see a second image) and may lose depth perception. At all ages, strabismus is disturbing. Studies show school children with significant misaligned eyes have self-image problems.

Amblyopia (“poor vision”) is closely related to misaligned eyes. Children learn to suppress double vision so effectively that the deviating eye gradually loses vision. It may be necessary to patch the good eye and wear glasses before treating the strabismus. Amblyopia does not occur when alternate eyes deviate, and adults do not develop amblyopia.



CEENTA has strabismus specialists in SouthPark, Belmont, Blakeney, Huntersville, Matthews, Statesville, and University.

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