Congenital esotropia, also called infantile esotropia or congenital squint, is a condition where one or both eyes turn inward. It usually starts at birth or within the first year of life. Parents often notice that the baby’s eyes are not aligned, giving the appearance of constant or frequent crossing.
The exact cause of congenital esotropia is still not fully understood. The following factors may play a role:
A family history of squint or other eye conditions may increase the changes of congenital esotropia.
Any deficiency in brain development as regards binocularity, or how both the eyes work together may cause congenital esotropia.
Poor vision is not a very significant cause of this condition and usually this condition occurs independent of vision but still it is worth mentioning here.
If untreated, congenital esotropia and amblyopia (lazy eye) may develop, as the brain starts ignoring input from the misaligned eye.
Cross fixation in infantile esotropia is when the child uses the right eye to look toward the left side and the left eye to look toward the right side. This may give the impression that the child is not focusing directly on objects. While common in esotropia, it does not necessarily mean the child has poor vision.
An ophthalmologist can diagnose esotropia in a child through:
Early diagnosis is key to planning timely esotropia in infants’ treatment.
The mainstay of congenital squint treatment is squint surgery. This involves adjusting the horizontal eye muscles to align the eyes.
Some children may experience recurrent congenital esotropia even after surgery, requiring further treatment. Regular follow-up visits are essential to monitor alignment, vision development, and amblyopia risk.
At Eye Solutions, our team of pediatric ophthalmologists specializes in the management of congenital esotropia and other childhood squints. We provide:
Your child’s visual development is our top priority.
Not always. With timely congenital squint treatment, including surgery and amblyopia management, many children achieve good eye alignment.
Surgery is usually recommended around 1 year of age for the best chance of developing binocular vision.
In most cases, surgery is needed. Glasses and patching may help in selected cases, but surgery is the main treatment.
It is when the child uses one eye to look across to the opposite visual field, a common behavior in infantile esotropia.
Yes. Misalignment increases the risk of congenital esotropia and amblyopia, where the brain suppresses input from one eye.
Squint surgery is highly effective, especially when performed early, but some children may require more than one procedure.
Yes, recurrent congenital esotropia can occur, which is why regular follow-up is important.
Yes. Squint surgery is safely performed in infants under general anesthesia by experienced pediatric ophthalmologists.
The cost depends on the hospital, surgeon’s expertise, and surgical requirements. At Eye Solutions, our team can provide a detailed cost estimate during consultation.
If untreated, it may lead to permanent amblyopia and loss of binocular vision. Early treatment is crucial to prevent long-term vision problems.
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