What is "exotropia"

n. (context medicine English) A form of strabismus in which the eyes deviate outwards

n. strabismus in which one or both eyes are directed outward [syn: walleye, divergent strabismus]

Exotropia (from Greek exo meaning "outward" and trope meaning "a turning"), divergent squint or wall eyes, is a form of strabismus where the eyes are deviated outward. It is the opposite of esotropia. People with exotropia often experience crossed diplopia. Intermittent exotropia is a fairly common condition. "Sensory exotropia" occurs in the presence of poor vision. Infantile exotropia (sometimes called "congenital exotropia") is seen during the first year of life, and is less common than "essential exotropia" which usually becomes apparent several years later.

The brain's ability to see three-dimensional objects depends on proper alignment of the eyes. When both eyes are properly aligned and aimed at the same target, the visual portion of the brain fuses the forms into a single image. When one eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward, two different pictures are sent to the brain. This causes loss of depth perception and binocular vision. There have also been some reports of people that can "control" their afflicted eye.