What is Esotropia?

Esotropia is a misalignment of the eyes where one eye turns inward toward the nose. It can be constant or intermittent, and it may be present from birth (congenital esotropia) or develop later in childhood (acquired esotropia).

Esotropia is the most common type of strabismus (crossed eyes). It affects about 2-3% of children.

Esotropia is usually treated with eyeglasses or vision therapy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Causes of Esotropia

The exact cause of esotropia is not always known. However, some risk factors include:

- family history of esotropia

- Down syndrome

- cerebral palsy

- other neurological conditions

- premature birth

- low birth weight

Symptoms of Esotropia

The most obvious symptom of esotropia is that one eye turns inward toward the nose. Other symptoms can include:

- double vision

- crossed eyes

- difficulty reading

- eye strain

- headaches

Treatment of Esotropia

The goal of treating esotropia is to align the eyes properly and restore binocular vision (the ability to use both eyes together). Treatment options may include:

- eyeglasses

- vision therapy

- surgery

In most cases, esotropia can be successfully treated with eyeglasses or vision therapy. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Surgery is usually performed on children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.

Prognosis for Esotropia

The prognosis for esotropia is generally good. Most children who receive treatment are able to achieve normal vision and alignment of their eyes. However, some children may continue to have occasional episodes of esotropia throughout their lives.