Aa
Strabismus
What is the difference between intermittent esotropia and alternating esotropia?And why do people with alternating esotropia see usually well?
Both terms are somewhat imprecise. The former term refers to the fact that the esotropia (ET) is not always present and the latter to an ET that is always present but the person fixates with both eyes (like being ambidextrous)
Most people with alternating ET have congenital ET present at or shortly after birth. It is not due to being farsighted and usually not associated with reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia). It generally always needs surgery.
Intermittent ET is generally "accommodation" ET due to being excessively farsighted or having an overactive focus reflex. If the child is not trying to see clearly (focus) the eyes may be straight or almost straight. When the child tries to see clearly and does focus it pulls the eye in thus its "intermittent". To have clear vision the child has to focus, that crosses the eye, the brain sees double and doesn't like it so disregards one eye central vision and it starts to fail (develop amblyopia). This type can sometimes be treated with glasses (sometimes bifocals) and patching.
Most people with alternating ET have congenital ET present at or shortly after birth. It is not due to being farsighted and usually not associated with reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia). It generally always needs surgery.
Intermittent ET is generally "accommodation" ET due to being excessively farsighted or having an overactive focus reflex. If the child is not trying to see clearly (focus) the eyes may be straight or almost straight. When the child tries to see clearly and does focus it pulls the eye in thus its "intermittent". To have clear vision the child has to focus, that crosses the eye, the brain sees double and doesn't like it so disregards one eye central vision and it starts to fail (develop amblyopia). This type can sometimes be treated with glasses (sometimes bifocals) and patching.
2 Comments
Thank you for taking the time to answery questions.
you are welcome
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Eye Care Community
Top General Health Answerers
Kansas City, MO
Grand Prairie, TX
San Diego, CA
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
