While assessing a pediatric patient, an ophthalmologist notes inability to focus with both eyes. Which finding would confirm diagnosis of strabismus?

Study for the HESI Makeup Day Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations to boost your readiness for exam day!

Multiple Choice

While assessing a pediatric patient, an ophthalmologist notes inability to focus with both eyes. Which finding would confirm diagnosis of strabismus?

Strabismus is a misalignment of the two eyes, meaning the eyes do not point to the same object when focusing. The most direct sign in a child is a visible deviation where the eyes do not line up, often described as a crossed appearance. This shows that the visual axes are not aligned, which is exactly what strabismus is.

Other clues aren’t as definitive: impaired extraocular muscles would cause limited movement rather than a constant misalignment; nystagmus is involuntary rhythmic eye movement and not the fixed crossing of gaze; blurred vision can occur for many reasons and doesn’t by itself prove the eyes are misaligned.

While assessing a pediatric patient, an ophthalmologist notes inability to focus with both eyes. Which finding would confirm diagnosis of strabismus?

Study for the HESI Makeup Day Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations to boost your readiness for exam day!

While assessing a pediatric patient, an ophthalmologist notes inability to focus with both eyes. Which finding would confirm diagnosis of strabismus?

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