Differential Diagnosis for 5 Year Old with Eye Crossing
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Esotropia (accommodative or non-accommodative): This is the most common cause of eye crossing in children, often due to refractive errors or muscle imbalances.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Exotropia: Although less common than esotropia, exotropia can also cause eye misalignment and is often associated with refractive errors or muscle imbalances.
- Convergence insufficiency: A condition where the eyes have difficulty converging, leading to eye strain and misalignment.
- Amblyopia: A condition where one eye has reduced vision, which can lead to eye misalignment and crossing.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cranial nerve palsy (III, IV, or VI): Although rare, cranial nerve palsies can cause eye misalignment and crossing, and can be a sign of a serious underlying condition such as a brain tumor or stroke.
- Orbital or intracranial tumor: Tumors in the orbit or brain can cause eye misalignment and crossing, and can be life-threatening if not diagnosed promptly.
- Thyroid eye disease: A condition where the thyroid gland produces excess hormones, leading to eye bulging and misalignment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Moebius syndrome: A rare congenital condition characterized by facial paralysis and eye misalignment.
- Duane syndrome: A rare congenital condition characterized by limited eye movement and misalignment.
- Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles: A rare condition where the eye muscles are abnormal, leading to eye misalignment and limited movement.