Exotropia

Definition

Exotropia, or an outward turning eye, is another common type of strabismus. This occurs most often when a child is focusing on distant objects. Often the exotropia will occur intermittently, particularly when the child is daydreaming, ill, or tired. Parents often notice that the child squints one eye in bright sunlight.

Symptoms

• Decreased vision
• Misaligned eyes
• Sensitivity to light
  

The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that your child has exotropia. However, if you observe one or more of these symptoms, contact your child's eye doctor for a complete exam.

Treatment

Although glasses, exercises or prisms may reduce or help control the outward turning eye in some children, surgery is often needed to correct exotropia, obtain 3-dimensional vision, and prevent permanent vision loss.

Clinic Information

For more information, see the Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus Clinic and the complete Clinic Services listing of the U-M Kellogg Eye Center.