Esotropia

Esotropia is a misalignment in which the child’s eyes turn inward.

Esotropia, also known as “cross-eyed,” is a type of strabismus, a vision condition in which the child’s eyes are not properly aligned with each other. In esotropia, the misalignment or deviation of the eyes is inward toward the nose. There are two major types of esotropia, accommodative and congenital.

Accommodative esotropia treatment

This condition usually is first seen when the child is between 2 and 4 years of age. Children with esotropia are highly farsighted, and the crossing eye may be seen intermittently when the child is tired or focusing on a near target. If untreated, it may increase in frequency and the eye may later remain crossed full time. Accommodative esotropia treatment may include:

• Glasses: Prescribing glasses to correct the farsightedness and straighten out the eyes
• Surgery: Children who don’t straighten out with glasses also may require strabismus surgery
• Patching therapy: Some children also need to wear an eye patch as well as glasses

The longer a child with accommodative esotropia remains untreated, the more likely amblyopia will develop.

Congenital esotropia treatment

This condition usually is seen first at birth or in early infancy. In congenital esotropia, the eyes usually cross a large amount and amblyopia may or may not be present.

Congenital esotropia treatment may include:

• Patching therapy: A schedule of eye patching is begun to develop equal vision in each eye
• Early childhood surgery: If the eyes remain crossed after patching therapy, early strabismus surgery is required to realign the eyes
• Later childhood surgery: The eyes of children with congenital esotropia that have undergone successful strabismus surgery may drift again in later childhood, requiring additional strabismus surgery
• Glasses: Although these usually are not helpful, a short trial of glasses may be used in some infants.

Your Henry Ford pediatric ophthalmologist will recommend the best treatment based on your child’s unique needs, and work with you every step of the way.

At Henry Ford, patients come first.

The Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology is committed to providing our patients with compassionate, personalized care. We feature the most advanced treatments in eye care and are dedicated to vision research – always staying at the forefront of innovation. A leader in Michigan, as well as one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the United States, we treat more than 55,000 patients per year at 12 locations throughout southeast Michigan. In addition, our team works closely with Henry Ford Medical Group physicians in other departments, providing multidisciplinary, coordinated care for those patients who need it.