ABSTRACT
DEFINITION/OVERVIEW Strabismus denotes a misalignment of the eyes. It is one of the most common eye problems encountered in children, affecting approxi mately 4% of children younger than 6 years of age. Strabismus can result in vision loss (amblyopia) and can have important and lifelong psychological effects. Early detection and treatment of strabismus are vital to prevent permanent visual impairment. In order to provide the best opportunity for children with strabismus to develop normal binocular vision, alignment of the visual axes must occur at an early stage of visual development. Several terms are used in characterizing the various forms of strabismus and are important in understanding its etiology, treatment, and prognosis.
