Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been having intermittent exotropia since childhood. My mom consulted a doctor when I was small but he said it is common and I will grow out of it. But I am 19 years old now and have not consulted a doctor yet. I have no problem with vision I think. Both eyes work. This means with both open I can see extreme left and right which are only possible with respective eyes. I have normal vision. I have not tested with a doctor with a single eye. No color blindness. Nowadays my eyes even in a relaxed position have a small angle difference physically. When tired, sleepy, or dreaming, extensive-angle difference occurs. But when staring into far or very near things, a slightly greater than normal angle difference occurs. Since then I was oblivious to the dangers of esotropia. I am going to join marine engineering in one month where squinting is not allowed. And I have normal depth perception I think. And even when I have exotropia my vision is normal. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com
I read your query and understand your concern. Intermittent exotropia is the most common form of squint in India. For small amounts of exotropia, we usually prescribe small power minus glasses or exercises or prisms sometimes. For large-angle exotropia, surgery is the best option, surgery is advised when squint is present for more than 50 % of waking hours or if distance stereopsis is less than 20 degrees. In your case, the only option is surgery but surgery will not give you 100% alignment. The excellent outcome is when the eye is within eight prism dioptre of orthotropic. So, I am not sure if you will be able to join the Navy or marine engineering even after surgery. Stereopsis is best evaluated by certain tests like the Frisby-Davis test. Intermittent exotropia is usually associated with a decrease in stereopsis. I would recommend you consult a local ophthalmologist and get your stereopsis checked. I hope I have cleared all your doubts.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Vaibhev Mittal
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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