Exotropia is a medical condition, where the eyes are deviated outward and other times are looking straight. It is the opposite of esotropia and usually involves more severe axis deviation. Exotropia can also cause blindness, poor vision in one eye, if not noticed on time and start the recommended treatment or surgery for correction.

Treatment For Exotropia

1) Take the Patient to an eye clinic.

        Request that a "CYCLOPLEGIC REFRACTION" be done on the patient.

It is a process where a certain eyedrop (1% cyclopentolate) is applied to both eyes, and then a test for glasses is done after about 30 to 40 minutes after 3 doses of the eyedrop has been applied to the patients eyes.
This will give the result of the glasses to be worn or needed.
After about 3 or more days later, the effect of the eye drops (blurred vision) will have worn out, and you take the child back to the eye clinic for a post-cycloplegic test.

A good optometrist knows how to handle this. The patient will be prescribed the glasses that will give them a good eye correction , and he/she MUST wear the glasses everyday.

2) Cover the good eye with a pirate patch, Do it like every 2hrs for the day and the non-aligned eye will realign till it’s ok. Do it consistently and you will see changes.

Note:

*Covering the good eye forces the brain to rely on the weak eye, which can help improve its vision and alignment and deviated eyes will be forced to work harder. This is a common technique used in vision therapy to treat Exotropia and other eye alignment issues.

So the best time to start is now, was you notice this eye defect in a child between 4-10years.

    While waiting for Exotropia  to treat or cure itself with time. Also note that, most forms of exotropia do not resolve completely. However, some people may be able to adequately control the drifting with glasses or other non-surgical means.

3) Eye Surgery:

        Some investigators recommend postponing exotropia surgery until patients are between 4-10years of age because there is an increased risk of young children developing amblyopia 




     Some common causes that results to Exotropia includes:

1) Alcohol Abuse during pregnancy

2) Hereditary
Family history of strabismus

3) Prematurity

4) Neurological Disorder

5) Uncorrected Refractive Errors