alternating exotropia

[normanclyde]

50yr old that just was diagnosed with alternating exotropia.  I took a bad fall 1 1/2 yrs ago and have been seeing gp and neurologists.  Double and blurry vision led me to eye exam.  I have worn glasses for years with no change.  Now I am prescribed 3 sets of glasses with prisms. Have two Pd values.
Od -5.75x-050x096 1 dbi
Os -6.50x-025x148 1 dbi
What are your thoughts? I have read how you can get alternating exotropia.... a mri of brain is next step..but what about eyes?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Norman, I have told you all I can in a forum like this and my advice remains the same.  

JCH MD

[normanclyde]

Pd of 63/60 was given with three prescriptions for eyeglasses.  One for reading with prism. One for far with prism. And one for far without prism.
I have not had exophoria.  Double vision along with multiple other symptoms has me seeing gp- pain Dr and neurologists since. I fell.  They are now looking to the brain as process of elimination of major items. Mri of brain is next.  
Question in meantime is alternating exotropia.  I did not have this before fall. None of my siblings or parents have this.
what are options?  I have ordered glasses and am awaiting to see if they help.  Any cures? Could this be. MS?  Or tumor or another disease causing the alternating exotropia?  
Thank you for your time.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The amount of prism in your glasses is miniscule and unlikely to be helpful. PD meand pupillary distance and is how far the centers of your pupils are and should be the same all the time. My advice would be to see a pediatric/adult strabismus ophthalmologist.  If you live in the USA you can find one near you at www.geteyesmart.org

trauma would not be a common cause of alternating exotrophia, trauma typically causes a 6th cranial nerve or 4th cranial nerve or 3rd cranial paresis and that causes other symptoms and "crossed" eyes or vertical deviation.

The most common cause would be the deterioration of a longstanding exophoria. That can "just happen" or it might be related to trauma.

JCH MD