Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
Unilateral exotropia is a form of strabismus where one eye turns outward instead of aligning with the other eye. It can be intermittent, appearing when a person is tired or daydreaming, or constant. Some cases are sensory exotropia, which develops when one eye has reduced vision and stops maintaining alignment. Treatment is individualized to protect binocular vision, comfort, and visual development.
read more about unilateral exotropia ...The cause may be functional (control weakness) or related to reduced vision in one eye. Clinicians classify exotropia by how often it appears and what triggers it.
Some people have no symptoms and only notice the drift in photos or mirrors. Others experience eyestrain, headaches, or intermittent double vision when control breaks. Children may close one eye in bright light or when looking far away. The outward turn may become more frequent over time without treatment in some cases.
Diagnosis includes cover testing to measure the deviation, assessment of control, and a full refraction to identify glasses needs. Clinicians also evaluate eye movements and check for differences in vision between eyes. Stereoacuity and suppression testing help assess binocular function. In children, the exam also screens for amblyopia and underlying causes of reduced vision.
Treatment may include glasses, management of refractive error, and therapy strategies aimed at improving control in selected cases. Patching or amblyopia treatment may be needed if one eye has reduced vision. Surgery can be recommended when exotropia is frequent, poorly controlled, or causes functional problems. Follow-up tracks control, binocular vision, and alignment over time.
Yes. Intermittent exotropia may appear when a person is tired, sick, or not paying attention. It may also occur more often at distance in some people.
No. Some cases are managed with observation, glasses, and vision-based strategies, especially when control is good. Surgery is considered when the outward drift is frequent, worsening, or affecting function. The decision is individualized.
Sensory exotropia occurs when one eye has reduced vision and cannot maintain alignment. It can develop in childhood or adulthood depending on when vision loss occurs. Treating the underlying vision problem can be part of management.
Often, yes, especially when amblyopia and refractive error are treated early. Alignment management supports binocular development and comfort. Your pediatric eye specialist will recommend the most appropriate plan.
Exotropia. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). https://aapos.org/glossary/exotropia. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.
Exotropia. Kaur K, et al. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578185/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.
Intermittent Exotropia. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574514/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.
Esotropia and Exotropia Preferred Practice Pattern®. American Academy of Ophthalmology (via PubMed). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36526451/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.
Unilateral surgery for pediatric sensory exotropia: clinical characteristics and surgical results. Shafik HM, et al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36550417/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.