Types of Esotropia: Constant or Intermittent
When it comes to concomitant esotropia, there are two distinct subgroups: constant and intermittent. Let’s delve into the characteristics of each.
The constant condition, as the name suggests, is always present. Individuals with constant esotropia experience misaligned eyes consistently, regardless of the task at hand. Whether they are reading or looking at objects in the distance, the misalignment remains constant.
On the other hand, intermittent esotropia is characterized by a fluctuating pattern. It can come and go, sometimes even following a cyclic pattern. In rare cases, the cycle may alternate between one day of misalignment and one day of alignment, referred to as cyclic esotropia.
For individuals with intermittent esotropia, the misalignment may only occur during specific activities, such as reading, while their eyes appear aligned when looking at objects in the distance.
Understanding Accommodative Esotropia
Accommodative esotropia is a condition that typically develops around the age of two, characterized by the inward turning of one or both eyes. This occurs when the child’s focusing system, known as the accommodative system, and the binocular system for eye alignment do not integrate properly. Children naturally have the ability to focus on objects with precision.
However, when a child overexerts their focusing power on close-up objects, it can lead to misaligned or inward turning eyes. In some cases, wearing glasses may be the simple solution to correct this issue. If the child is farsighted or hyperopic, the eyes may even turn inward when focusing on distant objects.
During an eye examination, if the optometrist observes that the child’s eye turn is more pronounced when looking at a distance, they may prescribe a multifocal lens to address the problem effectively.