strabismus

Everyday

Strabismus is the medical name for a squint: when a person's two eyes do not point in the same direction at the same time, so one eye may turn in, out, up or down. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons, strabismus is explained with how the two eyes work together to see depth. In everyday life, children with strabismus may wear glasses or an eye patch, or have eye exercises or a small operation. It is a common condition and nothing to tease anyone about. The everyday word is «squint» (UK) or «crossed eyes» / «lazy eye» (informal, not exactly the same).

Examples

• The eye doctor said my little brother has strabismus. tree →
• Strabismus means the eyes point in different directions. tree →
• She wears an eye patch to help treat her strabismus. tree →
• Strabismus is often noticed when a child is a baby or toddler. tree →
• Glasses can help some children with strabismus. tree →
• Our class learned that strabismus can be treated. tree →

Note

Medical, formal word; uncountable. Do not confuse with «a squint» meaning narrowing your eyes in bright sun. «Lazy eye» (amblyopia) is a related but different problem, though they often go together. Pronounced «struh-BIZ-mus».