adjustable sutures are surgical stitches that can be tightened or loosened after they are placed. They are used to fine-tune tissue position when exact alignment is hard to predict during surgery. In eye care, they are most commonly used in strabismus (eye muscle) surgery. They may also be used in selected eyelid or other ophthalmic procedures, depending on clinician preference.
resection is a surgical term that means removing a piece of tissue. In eye care, it can be used to treat a condition, to repair anatomy, or to obtain a sample for diagnosis. It is commonly used in ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery, and in some cases during strabismus (eye alignment) surgery. The exact meaning depends on *what* tissue is being removed and *why*.
recession is a clinical term that means moving a structure backward or farther from its original position. In eye care, recession most commonly refers to surgically moving an eye muscle to reduce its pull. It can also describe a diagnostic finding, such as angle recession after blunt eye trauma. Clinicians use the word recession in both surgical planning and exam documentation.
strabismus surgery is an eye muscle operation used to improve eye alignment. It is performed by an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), often with input from orthoptists or optometrists. It is commonly used for “crossed eyes,” “wandering eyes,” and some types of double vision. The goal is to change how the eye muscles pull so the eyes point more consistently in the same direction.
epicanthal folds are skin folds at the inner corner of the eyelids (the medial canthus). They can partly cover the inner corner where the upper and lower eyelids meet. They are a common normal anatomic feature and can also appear with certain conditions. The term is used in eye exams, facial assessment, and eyelid surgery planning.
pseudostrabismus is the appearance of crossed or misaligned eyes when the eyes are actually properly aligned. It is most commonly noticed in infants and young children, especially in photos or certain gaze positions. The term is used in eye care to describe a “false strabismus” and to distinguish it from true eye misalignment. It is a descriptive diagnosis made after an eye alignment exam.
pediatric nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a tear-drainage blockage that happens in infants and children. It commonly causes watery eyes and mucus-like discharge because tears do not drain normally into the nose. It is discussed in pediatric eye care, optometry, and ophthalmology when a child has persistent tearing. It can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired (developing later).
prematurity screening is an eye-health evaluation used for babies born early. It is most commonly used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric eye clinics. Its main goal is to detect eye conditions linked to premature birth, especially retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The screening typically involves examining the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye.
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal disease that can occur in premature infants. It involves abnormal development of blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. It is most commonly discussed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric eye clinics. It is used as a diagnosis and staging system to guide screening, monitoring, and (when needed) treatment.
latent nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic eye movement that appears or becomes more obvious when one eye is covered. It is most often discussed in pediatric eye care and strabismus (eye misalignment) clinics. Many clinicians consider it part of a broader pattern related to early binocular vision development. It is commonly identified during exams that temporarily block vision in one eye.
congenital nystagmus is a condition where the eyes make involuntary, repetitive movements from early life. These movements can be side-to-side, up-and-down, or sometimes circular. It is commonly discussed in pediatric eye care, optometry, and ophthalmology clinics. The term is often used when describing long-standing nystagmus that begins in infancy rather than later in adulthood.
nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic movement of the eyes. It can make vision appear shaky or blurred and may affect balance or comfort. nystagmus is a clinical term used in eye care and neurology to describe a sign seen during an exam. It is discussed in settings ranging from routine eye checks to emergency evaluation of dizziness or new vision changes.
superior oblique palsy is a problem with one of the eye’s vertical-rotational muscles or its nerve supply. It most often refers to weakness of the superior oblique muscle due to a fourth cranial (trochlear) nerve palsy. It commonly causes vertical double vision and a head tilt that helps a person see more clearly. The term is used in ophthalmology, optometry, neurology, and strabismus (eye misalignment) clinics.
inferior oblique overaction is a pattern of eye movement in which one eye elevates more than expected when it turns inward. It is commonly described in strabismus (eye misalignment) evaluations. Clinicians use the term to document a finding on exam and to help explain certain “upshoot” eye movements. It can be associated with symptoms like eye misalignment in specific gaze positions, head posture changes, or reduced binocular coordination.
V-pattern is a type of “pattern strabismus,” meaning an eye misalignment that changes with upgaze and downgaze. It describes a situation where the horizontal eye deviation differs between looking up and looking down. V-pattern is most commonly discussed in strabismus (eye alignment) exams and strabismus surgery planning. Clinicians use it as a descriptive label to help explain *how* and *when* the eyes drift.
A-pattern is a type of **pattern strabismus**, meaning the eye misalignment changes depending on where you look. It describes a horizontal eye deviation that is **larger in upgaze** and **smaller in downgaze**, forming an “A” shape when measured. A-pattern is most commonly discussed in **strabismus (eye alignment) exams** and **strabismus surgery planning**. It can occur with either **esotropia** (eyes turn in) or **exotropia** (eyes turn out).
dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) is an eye alignment condition where one eye drifts upward when the eyes are not working together as a team. It is most noticeable when one eye is covered or when a person is tired or not focusing well. DVD is commonly discussed in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (eye misalignment) clinics. Clinicians use the term to describe a specific pattern of vertical drifting that differs from many other causes of hypertropia (an eye that sits higher).
convergence insufficiency is a binocular vision disorder where the eyes have difficulty turning inward together for near tasks. In plain terms, the eyes may not “team” well when reading or doing close-up work. It is commonly discussed in optometry and ophthalmology when people report eyestrain, headaches, or intermittent double vision at near. It is evaluated with office-based eye alignment and focusing tests.
congenital esotropia is an eye alignment condition where one or both eyes turn inward from very early in life. It is most often discussed in pediatric ophthalmology and optometry because it affects visual development. Clinicians use the term when describing early-onset inward misalignment and planning a strabismus workup. Patients and families commonly encounter it during evaluations for “crossed eyes” in a baby or young child.
infantile esotropia is an early-onset type of strabismus where one or both eyes turn inward. It typically begins in infancy, often within the first months of life. In plain terms, the eyes are not aligned, so they do not point at the same target together. It is commonly used as a clinical diagnosis in pediatric ophthalmology and optometry.