Causes and risk factors
Esotropia may be congenital or accommodative. Congenital esotropia is also known as infantile esotropia. It is present since birth and is not associated with hypermetropia. Accommodative esotropia is a condition in which pre-existing hypermetropia leads to the development of esotropia.
Esotropia may occur as a result of underlying disorders such as Duane syndrome, stroke, thyroid disease, hydrocephalus, etc.
Clinical presentation
If the size of the squint varies with the direction one is looking at, the condition is known as ‘incomitant esotropia.’ If the size of the squint does not vary with the direction one is looking at, the condition is known as ‘concomitant esotropia.’
Concomitant esotropia may remain constant at all times, known as ‘constant esotropia’ or it may occur intermittently, known as ‘inconstant esotropia.’
The squinting motion may be present with near fixation, distant fixation, or both. Diplopia is a commonly occurring symptom of esotropia.
Investigations
A complete eye examination is carried out in all patients of esotropia. This includes tests for binocular function, visual acuity, fusional aptitudes, and stereopsis.
Treatment
The patient is advised to perform eye exercises in order to improve the vision.
Spectacles or prism spectacles are used to correct any refractive errors.
Some types of esotropia benefit from the injections of botulinum toxin.
Surgical intervention may become necessary in some cases, especially in patients with intermittent esotropia.
Complications
Patients with esotropia are at a higher risk of developing amblyopia.
When to contact a doctor
Contact a doctor as soon as you experience an inward turn of eyes or any other eye symptoms.
Systems involved
Ophthalmology, CNS.
Organs involved
Eyes, brain, nerves
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