American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

Strabismus is defined as a misalignment of the eyes, which means that the eyes do not properly coordinate their movement and may point in different directions. This condition can manifest as one eye being turned inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia). It is crucial to identify strabismus early because it can lead to amblyopia, or "lazy eye," if left untreated.

Understanding strabismus is essential in ophthalmology because the misalignment can affect binocular vision and depth perception, which are key functions of healthy eyesight. This condition can result from various factors, including muscle imbalance in the eyes, neurological issues, or developmental problems.

The other options describe different ocular conditions: blurred vision is a symptom rather than a condition; retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retina from its underlying supportive tissue, and increased intraocular pressure pertains to conditions like glaucoma. Therefore, recognizing strabismus as a misalignment allows practitioners to address it appropriately in the context of overall eye health.