Hyperexophoria is a term used in optometry to describe a condition where one eye deviates upward when the eyes are looking straight ahead. The IPA phonetic transcription of hyperexophoria is /haɪpərɛksəˈfɔːriə/. This complex term is made up of several Greek and Latin roots, including hyper (meaning "over" or "above"), exo (meaning "outside"), and phoria (meaning "tendency to deviate"). The final -ia indicates that it is a medical condition. The spelling can be difficult to remember, but understanding the roots and pronunciation can help.
Hyperexophoria is a term used in optometry and ophthalmology to describe a specific type of eye misalignment or deviation. It refers to a condition where there is an excessive outward deviation or turning of one or both eyes when focusing on a distant object, such as looking into the distance or viewing a horizon. This condition causes the eyes to deviate away from each other, causing a cross-eyed appearance.
Hyperexophoria occurs due to an imbalance in the extraocular muscles that control eye movement, causing one eye to turn outward more than the other. This misalignment can lead to double vision or blurred vision, as each eye is focusing on a different point in space. Individuals with hyperexophoria may experience symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, squinting, or difficulty maintaining focus for extended periods.
Treatment options for hyperexophoria may include vision therapy, which aims to correct the imbalance in the eye muscles through a series of eye exercises and visual training. In some cases, prism glasses or special lenses may also be prescribed to help align the eyes and reduce the eye deviation. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to reposition or adjust the eye muscles for proper eye alignment.
It is important to seek professional evaluation and diagnosis from an optometrist or ophthalmologist if experiencing symptoms of hyperexophoria, as early detection and treatment can help alleviate discomfort and prevent any further vision problems.
A tendency of one eye to deviate upward and outward, due to muscular insufficiency.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hyperexophoria" is derived from two root words: "hyper" and "exophoria".
The prefix "hyper-" comes from the Greek word "huper" (ὑπέρ), meaning "above" or "beyond". It is commonly used in English to signify excessive or extreme qualities.
The second part, "exophoria", is a term used in ophthalmology to describe a condition where the eyes have a tendency to deviate outward when there is no visual stimuli. It is derived from the Greek word "exō" (ἔξω), which means "outside" or "away from", and "phoros" (φορός), meaning "bearing" or "carrying".