What does strabismus refer to?

Strabismus is a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. This misalignment can stem from a muscle imbalance in the eye muscles, which affects how the eyes work together. Because the two eyes are not aligned, it can lead to issues with depth perception and can also cause one eye to turn in, out, up, or down, depending on the specific type of strabismus.

The distinction here is that strabismus is not simply about blurred vision or a specific form of lazy eye (which often refers to amblyopia, where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity due to lack of use), nor is it classified as an infection. Instead, it specifically involves the muscles controlling eye movement and coordination, leading to a refractive imbalance that can significantly impact a person's vision and binocular function. Understanding this condition is important for treatment and rehabilitation in optometric practice.