2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
6 Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Part I: Strabismus
Chapter 2: Strabismus Terminology
Definitions
Strabismus Classification Terms
Several methods of classifying ocular alignment and motility disorders are used, as no classification is perfect or all-inclusive. Terms used in these classifications are presented herein.
Age at onset
Infantile
A deviation documented at or before age 6 months, presumably related to a defect present at birth. The term congenital is sometimes used, although it may be less accurate because the deviation is usually not present at birth.
Acquired
A deviation with onset after 6 months of age, following a period of presumably normal ocular alignment.
Fixation
Alternating
Spontaneous alternation of fixation from one eye to the other.
Monocular
Fixation with one eye only.
Variation of the deviation size with gaze position or fixating eye
Comitant (concomitant)
The size of the deviation does not vary by more than a few prism diopters in different positions of gaze or with either eye used for fixation.
Incomitant (noncomitant)
The deviation varies in size in different positions of gaze or with the eye used for fixation.
Miscellaneous terms
Consecutive
A strabismus that is in the direction opposite that of a previous strabismus. For example, consecutive exotropia is an exotropia that follows an esotropia.
Dissociated strabismus complex
Consists of dissociated vertical deviation, dissociated horizontal deviation, and dissociated torsional deviation. The number of components varies, with some patients having all 3 and others having only 1. Dissociated vertical deviation is the most prevalent of the 3 components. The complex can be bilateral or unilateral; if it is bilateral, the degree of control of the deviation can vary between the eyes.
Overelevation in adduction and overdepression in adduction
These motility anomalies—frequently also called inferior oblique overaction and superior oblique overaction, respectively—can be caused by overaction of the oblique muscles, as well as by other mechanisms (see Chapter 11).
Underelevation in adduction and underdepression in adduction
These motility anomalies—frequently also called inferior oblique underaction and superior oblique underaction, respectively—can be caused by underaction of the oblique muscles, as well as by other mechanisms (see Chapter 11).
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.