Strabismus and amblyopia

The Correct Answer is C


Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes. Normal eye alignment is essential to allow the normal development of binocularity and stereopsis.


Accommodative esotropia is caused by an abnormality of the near reflex. Convergence of the eyes is controlled reflexively, along with focus for near vision. This normal integration is necessary to maintain eye alignment and to focus on targets at various distances. The amount of convergence is increased by refractive errors requiring a greater than normal amount of accommodation and by inherently increased reflexive convergence. This excessive convergence causes patients to cross their eyes when converging. Treatment for accommodative esotropia most often consists of lenses to correct refractive errors.


The reversal of amblyopia occurs most quickly and completely in patients treated at the earliest ages. Therefore, the earlier detection and treatment occur, the better the outcome.


Ref: Mills MD: The eye in childhood. Am Fam Physician 1999; 60(3): 907-916. (ABFP, 2001, 74).

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