Exotropia is a type of Squint
(which is also known as Strabismus
and as Heterotropia).
Recall that a squint is an abnormal alignment of the eyes.
Exotropia is a divergent squint, meaning that
one or both eyes are turned outwards - away from the nose.
There are several forms (classifications) of exotropia,
including:
- Congenital Exotropia - meaning exotropia that is
present since birth.
- Intermittent Exotropia - as may occur in children.
- Secondary Exotropia - accomodative, or non-accomodative.
- Consecutive Exotropia - such as post-surgery for
esotropia
(which is the form of squint in which the eye/s are directed abnormally
inward).
Exotropia can usually be treated. Management depends
on the particular case.
Examination for this purpose may involve ophthalmoscopy
(a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure).
For comparison:
Terms used to refer to the main forms of squint
include:
- Horizontal: Convergent Strabismus (also called
Esotropia)
- Horizontal: Divergent Strabismus (also called Exotropia)
- Vertical: Hypertropia
(an eye looks upwards)
- Vertical: Hypotropia
(an eye looks downwards)
- Eyes twisted clockwise or anticlockwise relative to each
other: Cyclotropia.
|
|
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
 |
This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
|
