What is strabismus?

Strabismus is defined as a condition where the eyes do not properly align with one another. This misalignment can occur in various directions, such as converging (toward the nose) or diverging (away from the nose), and may affect one or both eyes. Individuals with strabismus may experience double vision or poor depth perception, as the brain receives conflicting images from each eye due to their misalignment.

Understanding this condition is crucial, especially in pediatric assessments, as it can lead to amblyopia (often referred to as "lazy eye") if not addressed. Prompt recognition and intervention in strabismus are important to promote proper visual development and prevent long-term visual complications.

Other choices describe conditions or situations that do not pertain to strabismus. For instance, sensitivity to light is a symptom associated with various conditions but does not define strabismus. Normal alignment of the eyes represents the absence of the condition rather than what strabismus is. Involuntary eye movement, while relevant to other eye conditions, does not specifically denote misalignment as strabismus does. Thus, the definition provided aligns precisely with the characteristics and implications of strabismus.