{"id":1039,"date":"2020-04-07T10:58:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T10:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/wordpress\/eye-conditions-causing-strabismus\/"},"modified":"2021-08-04T04:46:35","modified_gmt":"2021-08-04T04:46:35","slug":"eye-conditions-causing-strabismus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/a-guide-to-eye-turns\/eye-conditions-causing-strabismus\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye Conditions That Cause Strabismus"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is a brief guide to the common eye conditions that can lead to an eye turn.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Eye turns affect over 3 people in 100 and can be successfully treated by eye doctors, often without needing surgery.<\/b><\/h3>\n

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye<\/a>)<\/b><\/h2>\n

A vision problem in which an eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Amblyopia typically begins during infancy and early childhood. In most cases, only one eye is affected.<\/p>\n

Anisometropia<\/b><\/h2>\n

A condition in which each<\/em> eye has a different refractive error (optical prescription). For example, one eye is mildly <\/i>nearsighted (myopic) while the other is significantly <\/i>nearsighted. Or one eye is nearsighted and the other eye is farsighted. There are many variations. When associated with farsightedness, anisometropia is a common cause of amblyopia.<\/p>\n

Convergence Insufficiency<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

A common eye muscle condition in which the two eyes are unable to easily turn inward to see close objects. This visual condition is the leading cause of eyestrain, blurry vision, double vision (diplopia), and\/or headaches. A recent multi-site scientific study funded by National Eye Institute has proven that the most effective treatment for convergence insufficiency<\/a> is in-office Vision Therapy<\/a> with home reinforcement. Surgery is not recommended.<\/p>\n

Double vision\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

Double vision occurs if both eyes are working, but are not <\/em>aimed at the same target.<\/p>\n

Esophoria<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

A tendency for one or both eyes to drift inward. When both eyes are open, each eye points accurately at the target. However, when one eye is covered, it causes an inward eye turn as a result of over-convergence.<\/p>\n

Esotropia<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

An inward eye turn in one eye, when both eyes are open. The eye turn can be constant or intermittent. It is usually congenital and may respond well with surgery, Vision Therapy, or prisms.<\/p>\n

Exophoria<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

A tendency for one or both eyes to drift outward. When both eyes are open each eye points accurately at the target. However, when one eye is covered, it causes an outward eye turn, as a result of under-convergence. Exophoria can be associated with convergence insufficiency.<\/p>\n

Exotropia<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

An outward eye turn in one eye, when both eyes are open. The eye turn can be constant, or intermittent.\u00a0\u00a0It is usually congenital and may respond well with surgery, Vision Therapy, or prisms.<\/p>\n

Eye tracking problems<\/b><\/h2>\n

Accurate eye movements are required for reading\u2014 providing the ability to read every word in a sentence, so you don\u2019t easily lose your place.<\/p>\n

There are two basic types of eye movements:<\/em><\/p>\n