Which type of eye misalignment is most commonly observed in children?

Strabismus is the most commonly observed type of eye misalignment in children. This condition occurs when the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. In children, strabismus can manifest as either cross-eyed (esotropia) or wall-eyed (exotropia), and it can be constant or intermittent.

The prevalence of strabismus in the pediatric population is significant, as it can affect depth perception and visual acuity if left untreated. Early detection and management are essential to minimize potential complications, including amblyopia, which is a condition that can result from the brain ignoring inputs from one of the misaligned eyes.

While exophoria, hyperopia, and astigmatism are relevant topics in pediatric vision care, they are different conditions. Exophoria refers to a tendency for the eyes to drift outward, which is typically less pronounced than strabismus. Hyperopia is a refractive error where distant objects can be seen more clearly than close ones, and astigmatism is due to an irregular shape of the cornea or lens that causes blurred vision. Neither hyperopia nor astigmatism are specifically categorized as misalignments of the eyes, making strabismus the clear choice for