What does strabismic mean?
Strabismic is an ophthalmic adjective meaning related to or affected by strabismus, in which one or both eyes are not properly aligned with the other. A person with strabismic vision may have an eye that turns inward, outward, upward, or downward, causing the eyes to send images to different areas of the brain. The term is especially used in clinical descriptions of strabismic amblyopia, a form of impaired vision that can develop when the brain does not properly process input from the misaligned eye. It is precise but specialized, and everyday speakers more often use 'cross-eyed' or 'squinting.' The word ultimately derives from the Greek strabismos, associated with turning or squinting, through the Latin medical term strabismus.
adjectiveRelating to or affected by strabismus, a condition in which the eyes are not aligned and cannot focus on the same point.
- Relating to or affected by strabismus; having misaligned eyes.
"The ophthalmologist diagnosed the patient with strabismic amblyopia."
"The ophthalmologist described the condition as a mild strabismic deviation."
"Refractive adjustment can sometimes reduce the symptoms associated with a strabismic eye."
A strabismic eye points in a different direction from the other, so the two eyes may never share the same focus.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strabismic come from?
The adjective derives from Latin strabismus, a medical term borrowed from Greek strabismos. Greek strabismos is related to strephein, meaning 'to turn,' especially to turn the eyes or squint. Latin strabismus developed into the modern medical noun for misalignment of the eyes, and strabismic was formed as its adjectival derivative.
How strabismic is actually used
This is a specialized medical and ophthalmic term, usually used in clinical descriptions of eye alignment and related visual impairment. The more general lay terms are 'cross-eyed' and 'having a squint.'
Easily confused with strabismic
Astigmatic describes an irregular curvature of the eye's cornea or lens, whereas strabismic describes misalignment of the eyes.