Strabismus - a condition where there is misalignment of the eyes. It is most commonly described by the direction of the ocular misalignment, including esotropia (inward), exotropia (outward), hypertropia (upward) and hypotropia (downwards). Strabismus can also be described by its cause. There are three cranial nerves responsible for eye movements (III, IV, VI). A weakness or palsy of any one of these nerves will result in strabismus.
Amblyopia (lazy eye) - a condition where there is decreased vision in one or both eyes, as a result of abnormal visual development, occurring in early childhood. It can result from strabismus, anisometropia, congenital cataract or ptosis. Treatments can include eye patches, eye drops, glasses or contact lenses.
Esotropia - describes strabismus which is characterised by an inward turn of one or both eyes. It can be evident all of the time (constant) or some of the time (intermittent). The most common form is accommodative esotropia, which is caused by a underlying uncorrected refractive error known as hypermetropia.
Exotropia - describes strabismus which is characterised by an outward turn of one or both eyes. It can be evident all of the time (constant) or some of the time (intermittent). Intermittent exotropia can respond well to specific orthoptic exercises.
III Cranial Nerve Palsy - The third cranial nerve (oculomotor nerve) is responsible for innervating 4 of the 6 eye muscles responsible for eye movement, as well as the upper eye lid and pupil constriction. A palsy in this nerve will result in a likely ptosis (eye lid droop) and diplopia (double vision), due to the eye moving into a exotropic (outward) and hypotropic (downward) position.
IV Cranial Nerve Palsy - The fourth cranial nerve (trochlear nerve) is responsible for innervating 1 of the eye muscles, called the superior oblique. A palsy of this nerve will result in vertical double vision, due to the eye moving into a hypertropic (upward) and rotated position.
VI Cranial Nerve Palsy - The sixth cranial nerve (abducens nerve) is responsible for innervating 1 of the eye muscles, called the lateral rectus. A palsy of this nerve will result in horizontal double vision, due to the eye moving in a esotropic (inward) position.
Myasthenia Gravis - an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack and weaken normal skeletal muscle tissue. It can affect the eye muscles as well as other muscles in the body, and symptoms can include double vision, droopy eyelids, muscular fatigue and breathing/swallowing difficulty.
Thyroid Eye Disease - an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the eye muscles, causing eye watering, redness, light sensitivity (photophobia), eyelid swelling and elevation of the eyelid. Swelling of the normal fat tissue and enlargement of the eye muscles in the eye socket can push the eye forward creating protrusion of one or both eyes (proptosis). Proptosis can stretch or compress the optic nerve potentially causing blurred vision, impaired color vision and vision loss. The swelling may also involve the muscles around the eye, resulting in eye fatigue, eye soreness and double vision.
Convergence Insufficiency - the inability of the eyes to remain aligned when looking at a near object. This will commonly result in double or blurred vision after a short period of reading, or in headaches, reduced depth perception and eye strain. There is difficulty concentrating during reading or computer work.
Accommodative Dysfunction - a myriad of disorders of accommodation, which is the focus that your eyes must make for different focal lengths. It can result in blurred near or distance vision, or a lag in focus. People suffering from accommodative dysfunction can suffer from eye strain, headaches, fatigue, sore eyes, avoidance of near tasks, and light sensitivity.
Fusional Vergence Amplitude - is a measure of motor fusion, which is the extent to which a person can maintain binocular single vision, in the presence of increasing vergence (eye movement) demands. A person requires normal fusional amplitudes to maintain comfortable binocular vision. A reduction in this range will result in symptoms of eye strain including fatigue, pain, blurry vision, discomfort, watery eyes, and headaches arising from the use of eyes.
Anisometropia - is a condition caused by a difference in refractive error between the eyes, meaning that the eyes have different focussing needs.
Hypermetropia (hyperopia or long-sightedness) - is a condition often caused by a slightly shorter length eye, resulting in light rays entering the eye and being focused behind the retina and not on it. Correct glasses prescription is designed to focus the light rays on the correct spot on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
Myopia (short-sightedness) - is a condition often caused by a slightly longer length eye, resulting in light rays entering the eye and being focused before the retina and not on it. Correct glasses prescription is designed to focus the light rays on the correct spot on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
Astigmatism - is a condition often caused by the cornea or the lens inside the eye being curved differently in one direction than the other. Correct glasses prescription is designed to focus the light rays on the correct spot on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
Nystagmus - is a rapid, involuntary, shaking, “to and fro” movement of the eyes. These dancing or jerking movements are usually in horizontal or vertical directions, and can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired (due to tumour, stroke, medication, vestibular problems or traumatic brain injury).
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