Definition
Esotropia is a type of strabismus, or eye misalignment, characterized by inward deviation of one or both eyes. It is commonly known as “crossed eyes.”
Causes
Esotropia can be caused by several factors, including:
- Genetics: Certain genetic conditions may predispose individuals to develop esotropia.
- Amblyopia: Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia can lead to esotropia if one eye is weaker than the other.
- Nerve and muscle abnormalities: Problems with the nerves or muscles responsible for eye movement and alignment can result in esotropia.
- Refractive errors: Severe nearsightedness or farsightedness can contribute to the development of esotropia.
- Other eye conditions: Certain eye conditions like cataracts, retinoblastoma, or eye trauma can cause esotropia.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of esotropia might include:
- Crossed eyes: One eye turns inward while the other maintains a straight gaze.
- Double vision: Seeing two overlapping images due to misalignment of the eyes.
- Poor depth perception: Difficulty judging distances and perceiving three-dimensional space.
- Eyestrain: Fatigue or discomfort in the eyes, especially after prolonged visual tasks.
- Head tilting or turning: Tilting or turning the head to adjust for misaligned eyes.
Treatment
Esotropia can be treated through various methods, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition:
- Corrective lenses: Prescription glasses or contact lenses may help address refractive errors.
- Eye patches: Covering the stronger eye with a patch to strengthen and improve vision in the weaker eye (commonly used in cases of amblyopia).
- Vision therapy: Non-surgical exercises and activities designed to improve eye coordination and strengthen ocular muscles.
- Botox injections: In some cases, injecting botulinum toxin into specific eye muscles can help alleviate misalignment temporarily.
- Eye muscle surgery: Surgical procedures to adjust the length or position of eye muscles, allowing proper alignment.