Exotropia Eye

Exotropia is a form of strabismus. It is an outward deviation of an eye. This article gives information about the causes, symptoms and treatment for extropia eye.

Causes of Exotropia Eye

• The cause is not yet known. But most experts believe that if the brain has problem to control the position of the eye, it may cause exotropia.
• Most often it can occur in children between the age of 6 months and 4 years.
• If eyes of the child are not aligned on the same target, it creates vision problem as the brain ignores the image from one eye. This may stop vision development. This problem rarely occurs with exotropia.

Exotropia may result from:

• deformities
• head injuries
• nerve problems
• eye injuries

These problems, as well as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, stroke, myasthenia gravis, circulation problems, thyroid disease and brainstem aneurysms can cause this vision defect in adults.

How is Extropia Eye diagnosed
Parents, family members and caregivers notice the eyes that are not pointing in the same direction. An optometrist or an ophthalmologist will test the overall vision of the person and ability of the each eye to follow objects.

Treatment for Exotropia Eye

• An eye doctor will often suggest a surgery. Treatment for this vision defect does not have to occur immediately. Early surgery can disturb the ability of the brain that helps in fusion and it may result in permanent reduction in vision.
• Vision therapy can be used to treat this defect. The success rates of vision therapy are higher than this surgery.
• Doctor may prescribe prismatic glasses which can reduce some of the symptoms.
• Although prisms are effective to alleviate symptoms, they may cause adaptation problems. Vision therapy is more effective than using prisms.
• Even if you already under went a surgery you should follow Eyerobics. It is an eye exercise program based on the Bates method.
• Eye exercises help to improve your eye muscle function and also relax them.