Strabismus - The inability of both eyes to focus on the same object because of an imbalance of the muscles of the eyball. There are three different types of strabismus: esotropia, exotropia and hypertropia.

Esotropia - This occurs when either one or both eyes turn toward the nose.

Exotropia - In this condition, one or both eyes turn outward.

Hypertropia - In this instance, one eye is higher than the other.

Treatment may involve using a patch, wearing eyeglasses, electing surgery or some combination of these therapies. Strabismus surgery is performed on the muscles that attach to the outside of the eyeball. Depending on the type of strabismus, eye muscle surgery consists of weakening or strengthening one or more of the eye muscles in one or both eyes.

Other types of pediatric eye disorders:

Amblyopia - This occurs when a child uses one eye to focus on objects more than the other, resulting in what is also known as lazy eye.

Any of the following signs or symptoms could point to a possible serious eye condition for your child. You should consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

• pain in or around the eye
• one eye turns in toward the nose or wanders out toward the ear, eitherconstantly or occasionally, eyes that do not appear to look in the same direction
• child tilts or turns head when looking intently
• one eye closes occasionally, especially when the child is outside
• eyes shake or vibrate
• child covers one eye to look at things
• squints or squeezes eyes nearly closed to see
• cannot identify things across the room or farther away
• frequent rubbing of eye
• discharge from eyes (stuck together in the morning)
• droopy eyelids
• a white pupil in either or both eyes
• eyes tearing or wet-looking, when not crying
• any swelling or lump in or around the eyes or eyelids
• any difference in size, shape or color of any part of the eye (i.e., pupil) or eyelids
• redness of the eye
• functionally one-eyed
  

Any of the following signs or symptoms could indicate a possible serious eye problem for infants. You should consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

• discharge from eyes
• droopy eyelids
• a white pupil in either or both eyes
• eyes that wander, shake or vibrate
• eyes tearing or wet-looking, when not crying
• any swelling or lump in or around the eyes or eyelids
• child not looking at mother by three months of age
• eyes that do not appear to look in the same direction
• any difference in size, shape or color of any part of the eye or eyelids
• redness of the eye

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