Esotropia Queens & Nassau County

Name: Esotropia
Brand: The Pediatric Eye Center
Rating: 4.8 (342 reviews)

Esotropia is a type of strabismus in which the eyes turn inward toward the nose. It can be constant, occasional, or show up only under certain conditions, like fatigue or when trying to focus up close. Regardless of the frequency, esotropia is a sign that the eyes are not working together correctly, and we want to address that.

What Does Esotropia Look Like?

The most recognizable symptom of esotropia is “crossed eyes”—but this isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Esotropia affects how the brain receives and processes visual information. Depending on the type and severity, children may lose depth perception, experience visual confusion, or develop amblyopia (poor vision in one eye). The inward turn might appear subtle or dramatic, but even a small misalignment can have big implications for vision development.

How the Brain Responds to Misaligned Eyes

Even if only one eye appears to drift, esotropia is always a binocular problem. The eyes are misaligned relative to each other, and the brain is stuck juggling two mismatched images. In younger children, the brain often solves the problem by ignoring the image from one eye, effectively shutting it down. While this prevents double vision, it also stops that eye from developing normal vision. On the other hand, older children may not be able to suppress the second image and experience double vision instead.

Before & After Esotropia

View Gallery

Two Main Forms of Childhood Esotropia

While there are many subtypes, two forms appear most often in our young patients:

Infantile Esotropia

This typically shows up before six months of age. The inward turn is usually large and constant, affecting both eyes. Children with this form often have poor depth perception, and the condition is rarely linked to glasses or refractive error. This type of esotropia almost never resolves on its own and usually requires eye muscle surgery to align the eyes and support binocular vision.

Accommodative Esotropia

Usually developing between the ages of one and five, it is caused by uncorrected farsightedness. In an effort to bring blurry images into focus, the eyes over-converge, turning inward in the process. This form often responds well to glasses, but some children will still need surgery if the condition persists, despite optical correction.

little girl running towards a man for a hug

How Does Esotropia Affect Vision?

Children with esotropia may:

Lose 3-D (stereoscopic) vision and depth perception
Develop amblyopia (reduced vision in the affected eye)
Have trouble reading, focusing, or tracking objects
Compensate with head tilts, squinting, or covering one eye
Struggle socially if the misalignment is noticeable

Not every child will show every symptom, but any of these signs warrants an evaluation.

Diagnosing Esotropia in Children

Dr. Lichtenstein performs a full pediatric eye exam tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage. He’ll evaluate eye alignment, movement, and vision in each eye individually and together. In most cases, cycloplegic drops are used to temporarily relax the focusing muscles and measure the true prescription, especially important when accommodative esotropia is suspected. A full front-to-back eye health check ensures there’s nothing else interfering with visual development. In preverbal children, we use objective methods, visual behavior cues, and a fair amount of Jedi mind tricks to get reliable results.

Schedule a Consultation

Trusted by Pediatricians, Chosen by Families

We are honored to receive so many referrals from pediatricians throughout Queens and Nassau County. We’re also deeply grateful for the parent-to-parent recommendations that fill our exam rooms. Here’s why families continue to choose us:

We Offer Impeccable Medical Expertise

Dr. Eric Lichtenstein has treated tens of thousands of pediatric patients since founding The Pediatric Eye Center in 1999. He brings more than 25 years of clinical and surgical experience to every exam, along with the judgment and perspective that only come from focusing exclusively on children’s vision. It’s not just what he does—it’s all he does.

We Offer Child-Friendly (and Even Fun) Eye Care

Dr. Lichtenstein has a toolkit of silly voices, puppets, Dad jokes, and magic tricks—all deployed with great precision to put kids at ease. Whether your child is 8 weeks old or 18 years old, he adapts the visit to meet them where they are. Toddlers are entertained, teens are respected, and nobody is rushed.

We Practice Honest, Respectful Communication

We don’t sugarcoat things—but we do explain them clearly, honestly, and in language that makes sense. Dr. Lichtenstein welcomes questions, values collaboration, and treats families like true partners in care. Whether you need the short version or the full scientific breakdown, we’ll meet you at your level.

Explore Our Office

“The doctor is the best! Super nice and patient to children. He is an expert in esotropia. My daughter’s surgery went great. Really appreciate. Definitely recommend to everyone.”

Chelsea Zhao

Esotropia Treatment in Queens and Nassau County

Treatment depends on your child’s specific diagnosis. Dr. Lichtenstein will work with you to develop a plan that addresses alignment, visual development, and comfort. Non-surgical options include:

Prescription glasses and/or bifocals
Patching, atropine drops, or Luminopia to address amblyopia, if present
Prism lenses (in select cases)

If non-surgical measures aren’t indicated, strabismus surgery may be recommended to reposition the eye muscles and bring the eyes into better alignment. In some cases, both glasses and surgery are needed. Treatment is never one-size-fits-all, and follow-up care is just as important as the initial fix.

FAQ Esotropia

Can esotropia get worse over time if left untreated?

Yes. Untreated intermittent esotropia can become more frequent and even constant. In young children, the longer the eyes remain misaligned, the greater the risk of amblyopia (vision loss in one eye). Early intervention can improve long-term outcomes significantly.

Will my child outgrow esotropia?

Most children do not simply “outgrow” esotropia. While some intermittent forms may be stable for a while, esotropia typically persists. Observation alone is rarely the best approach, especially in infants and toddlers whose visual systems are still developing.

What if my child is nervous about the eye exam?

It’s completely normal for children to feel anxious before a medical visit, especially if it’s their first eye exam. Dr. Lichtenstein works with kids of all ages and developmental stages, using age-appropriate language, humor, and visual tools to put children at ease. Most exams are non-invasive, and we take the time to move at your child’s pace. In fact, many kids leave smiling (and with a sticker or two in hand).

Dr. Eric Lichtenstein Proven Clinical and Surgical Expertise

Pediatric eye surgeon Dr. Eric Lichtenstein has treated many young esotropia patients. With over 25 years of experience, he brings exceptional clinical knowledge and surgical skill to each case. Equally importantly, Dr. Eric Lichtenstein is personally invested in seeing every pediatric patient thrive.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If your child’s eyes appear misaligned—or if something just doesn’t seem quite right—don’t wait. Early diagnosis gives us the best chance of preserving normal vision and avoiding long-term issues. Call The Pediatric Eye Center at (929) 588-8570 to schedule a consultation for infant esotropia treatment in Queens and Nassau County with Dr. Lichtenstein.