What is esophoria?

Esophoria is defined as an inward deviation of the eye when one eye is covered, which is precisely described by the correct choice. This condition reflects a latent tendency for the eye to turn inwards, which may become apparent when binocular vision is disrupted by occluding one eye. It is important to differentiate esophoria from other forms of strabismus, such as esotropia, where the eye is continuously misaligned. In esophoria, the misalignment only appears under specific conditions.

This understanding of esophoria is important in clinical practice and assessment since detecting and diagnosing phorias can help in the analysis of binocular vision and alignment issues. It assists in determining the appropriate treatment approaches, whether through vision therapy or corrective lenses, to improve visual function and comfort.