Intermittent exotropia increasing with near fixation: a "soft" sign of neurological disease

P H Phillips1, K J Fray, M C Brodsky

  • 1Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. phillipspaulh@uams.edu

Insights

Children with intermittent exotropia showing increased near deviation may have underlying neurological conditions. This finding highlights the importance of neurological assessment in such cases.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Neurology

Context:

  • Intermittent exotropia is a common childhood eye misalignment.
  • The relationship between specific patterns of exotropia and neurological conditions requires further elucidation.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the association between distance-near disparity in intermittent exotropia and the prevalence of neurological disease in children.

Summary:

  • A retrospective study compared children with intermittent exotropia exhibiting a near deviation exceeding distance deviation by ≥10 prism diopters (study group) to those with distance deviation ≥ near deviation (control group).
  • The study group showed a significantly higher prevalence of neurological abnormalities (66%) compared to the control group (19%).
  • Identified neurological conditions included developmental delay, attention deficit disorder, cerebral palsy, and others.

Impact:

  • Findings suggest that a specific pattern of intermittent exotropia, characterized by increasing near deviation, is a significant indicator of underlying neurological disease in children.
  • This association underscores the need for comprehensive neurological evaluation in pediatric patients presenting with this type of exotropia.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...