The term "alternating strabismus" refers to a type of eye misalignment where the eyes take turns looking in different directions. The spelling of this word is determined by its pronunciation, which can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [ɔːlˈtɜːneɪtɪŋ strəˈbɪzməs]. The emphasis is on the second syllable of "alternating" and the third syllable of "strabismus," and the first vowel sound is pronounced as "aw." Accurate spelling is crucial for clear communication in medical terminology.
Alternating strabismus, also known as alternating exotropia or alternating esotropia, is a medical condition that affects the alignment of the eyes, resulting in intermittent misalignment. The term "alternating" refers to the alternating deviation of one eye being misaligned outward (exotropia) or inward (esotropia) relative to the other eye.
In alternating exotropia, the eyes deviate outward intermittently, meaning that one eye will turn outward while the other remains straight. This misalignment may switch between the two eyes at different times, leading to alternating exotropia.
Similarly, alternating esotropia refers to the intermittent inward deviation of one eye, while the other eye aligns straight. The misalignment may alternate between the two eyes over time.
Alternating strabismus typically manifests during infancy or early childhood and can be caused by various factors, including problems with the eye muscles or nerve signals that control eye movement. It can result in visual disturbances, such as double vision or reduced depth perception.
Treatment for alternating strabismus may involve glasses, eye exercises, or in some cases, surgery. The goal of treatment is to straighten the eyes and improve coordination between them, allowing for improved vision and alignment.
Overall, alternating strabismus is a condition characterized by periodic misalignment of the eyes, which can be outward (exotropia) or inward (esotropia). Proper diagnosis and management under the guidance of an ophthalmologist are essential for optimal vision and eye alignment.
See squint.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "alternating strabismus" combines two different words with their respective etymologies:
1. "Alternating": The word "alternating" is derived from the Latin word "alternatus", which means "done by turns" or "interchanged". It comes from the Latin verb "alternare", meaning "to do by turns", which is a derivative of "alter", meaning "other" or "another".
2. "Strabismus": The term "strabismus" comes from the Greek word "strabismos", which means "squinting". It is a combination of "strabos", meaning "squinting" or "twisting", and the suffix "-ismos", which denotes a condition or state.
Therefore, "alternating strabismus" refers to a condition where the eyes deviate from the normal anatomical alignment and squint in an alternating manner.