Esophoria Treatment Options for Kids

Esophoria is a type of crossed eyes that is characterized by an inward turning eye. The broad category is strabismus, which covers all aspects of crossed eyes including: exotropia, outward turning eye; hypertropia, upward turning eye; and hypotonia, downward turning eye.

What Causes Esophoria?

esophoria childWhen children with esophoria focus on a close object, their eyes must work harder to see clearly. This can cause one or both of the eyes to cross. The major concern with this condition is that their eyes will not develop normally. Not to mention the headaches and blurred vision they experience. So diagnosis and treatment must begin at once.

What are the Treatments Options? 

The initial treatment for esophoria is prescription eyeglasses to address the commonly present farsightedness, or hyperopia. With farsightedness the child must change their focus from far objects, which they can see just fine, to near objects. The extra focusing effort for the near objects, causes the additional eye strain that in turn causes their eye to cross. Typically, prescription eyeglasses will correct the esophoria. 

If the prescription eyeglasses do not correct the esophoria, visual therapy is the next option, and then surgery is the last resort. The surgery will shorten or relax the eye muscles in order to straighten the eye. 

There are also options to use prisms as part of the eyeglass prescription as well as bifocals to help with focusing on close objects.

It Should All Begin with an Examination

If you feel that your child has this condition, we need to see them right away. It’s critical to get their eyesight problems diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible so that their vision can develop normally. 

We will use the full resources of our complete vision care facility along with our considerable experience and expertise. Plus, we’re very good at providing the glasses that your child might need to treat their esophoria.

Give us a call at 972-612-2099 and let’s get started.

Disclaimer: The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. 

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