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Esotropia Basics - Eyes Inward Bound

  • Esotropia: Inward turning of one or both eyes; a manifest deviation (tropia).
  • Key Classifications:
    • Comitancy:
      • Comitant: Deviation angle constant in all gazes.
      • Incomitant: Angle varies with gaze direction.
    • Age of Onset:
      • Infantile: Birth to 6 months.
      • Acquired: After 6 months.
    • Laterality: Unilateral or Alternating.
    • Fixation Pattern (Frequency): Constant or Intermittent.

Monocular and Binocular Esotropia

⭐ Esotropia is the most common type of strabismus in childhood; infantile esotropia typically presents before 6 months of age and is often associated with cross-fixation.

Infantile Esotropia - Early Eye Turn

  • Onset: First 6 months life, healthy infant.
  • Angle: Large (> 30 PD), constant, comitant.
  • Refraction: Mild hyperopia (normal for age).
  • Amblyopia: High risk; prompt management crucial.
  • Associations:
    • Cross-fixation (common).
    • Dissociated Vertical Deviation (DVD).
    • Inferior Oblique Overaction (IOOA).
    • Latent Nystagmus.
  • Treatment:
    • Surgical: Bilateral Medial Rectus (BMR) recession.
    • Timing: 6-18 months for binocular potential.
    • Manage amblyopia, significant refractive errors.

⭐ Cross-fixation is very common; infant uses adducted eye for contralateral gaze, may mimic bilateral CN VI palsy.

Infant with large angle esotropia and cross-fixation

Accommodative Esotropia - Focusing Foibles

Esotropia (ET) from excessive accommodation. Caused by uncorrected hypermetropia (refractive) or high AC/A ratio (non-refractive). Onset: 6 months - 7 years (peak 2-3 years).

  • Types & Characteristics:
    • Refractive: Hypermetropia > +2.0 D. Normal AC/A. ET often intermittent.
    • Non-refractive: High AC/A ratio. ET greater at near. Minimal hypermetropia.
    • Partially accommodative: ET reduces, not eliminated, with full hypermetropic correction.
  • Treatment:
    • Full cycloplegic hypermetropic correction (glasses).
    • Bifocals for high AC/A.
    • Surgery for residual non-accommodative ET.

⭐ > Full cycloplegic refraction is crucial for diagnosis and initial management.

Diverse Esotropias - Unique Eye Turns

TypeKey Features
Cyclic EsotropiaRegular intermittent ET (e.g., 24-48 hr cycle); good prognosis.
Sensory EsotropiaMonocular vision loss → ET; variable angle.
Divergence InsufficiencyET > distance, diplopia at distance; normal near.
Spasm of Near ReflexTriad: Miosis, convergence spasm, accommodation spasm; often functional.
AACESudden comitant ET, diplopia; R/O neuro cause (e.g., tumor).
Duane Syndrome (Type 1)↓Abduction, globe retraction & palpebral fissure narrowing on adduction. ET.
Möbius SyndromeCongenital VI & VII nerve palsy; mask-like facies, ET.

Esotropia Workup - Uncrossing Wires

  • History: Onset (<6mo congenital, >6mo acquired), constant/intermittent, family Hx.
  • Visual Acuity (VA): Age-appropriate; assess amblyopia, fixation.
  • Alignment & Measurement:
    • Cover-Uncover (tropia), Alternate Cover + Prisms (deviation).
    • Hirschberg/Krimsky for objective angle.
  • Cycloplegic Refraction: CRITICAL (Atropine/Cyclopentolate) for full hypermetropia.
  • Motility: Ductions, versions; check restrictions/overactions (e.g., IOOA).
  • Fundoscopy: Dilated exam; rule out organic causes (retinoblastoma), pseudoesotropia.
  • Sensory Tests: Stereoacuity, Worth 4 Dot Test (suppression, fusion).

⭐ Cycloplegic refraction is crucial to identify hypermetropia, key for accommodative esotropia diagnosis.

Types of Strabismus

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Infantile esotropia: Onset < 6 months, large angle, often with DVD & IOOA. Surgery is key.
  • Accommodative esotropia: Most common, linked to hypermetropia & high AC/A ratio. Glasses primary treatment.
  • Pseudoesotropia: Apparent inward turn, normal corneal reflex; due to epicanthal folds.
  • Amblyopia is a major risk in childhood esotropia; early detection crucial.
  • Sixth nerve palsy: Acquired esotropia, limited abduction, diplopia.
  • Duane Syndrome Type 1: Esotropia, limited abduction, globe retraction on adduction.

Practice Questions: Esotropia

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A child presents with unilateral white reflex (leukocoria) and raised intraocular pressure, raising suspicion of retinoblastoma. Which of the following investigations is the most appropriate to perform?

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Flashcards: Esotropia

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The angle of deviation in infantile esotropia is fairly _____ and relatively constant.

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The angle of deviation in infantile esotropia is fairly _____ and relatively constant.

large (> 30)

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