Strabismus refers to a misalignment of the eyes. There are many different types of strabismus, but broadly speaking they can be divided into the following groups:

• Esotropias: An esotropia is a convergent strabismus where one eye turns in towards the nose.
• Exotropias: An exotropia is a divergent strabismus where the one eye turns outwards.
• Hypertropias and hypotropias: These terms refer to vertical strabismus where one eye is higher (hypertropia) or lower (hypotropia) than the fellow eye.
• Paralytic strabismus: Damage to the third, fourth or sixth cranial nerves as result of poor blood supply, pressure on the nerve or head injuries will cause limited eye movements and a strabismus.

There are a number of different types of strabismus in each of these groups that carry their own individual characteristics and treatments.

Republished, with permission, from www.squintclinic.com.