ABSTRACT
Strabismus occurs in about 3% of children. Amblyopia is present in approximately 5% of children. Strabismus is a cause of amblyopia and amblyopia is a cause of strabismus. Strabismus may be associated with a neurological or visual pathway abnormality, but more commonly reflects a refractive problem, usually hypermetropia or anisometropia, or is idiopathic. Despite the complexity of strabismus management, it cannot be overstressed that accurate diagnosis and exclusion of ocular and systemic conditions (e.g. cranial nerve palsies) are mandatory. Detection and treatment of refractive error and management of amblyopia are important goals. Surgery for the ocular deviation is approached only after these issues have been addressed.
