Table of contents:
- 1. Visual examination (eye acuity test)
- 2. Eyeball movement test
- 3. Cover test
- 4. Hirschberg eye test
- 5. Examination of the inside of the eyeball
Crossed eyes or in medical terms are known as strabismus is a vision disorder that not only affects children, but can also affect adults. There are various types of examinations that need to be done to ascertain the type and weight of the eye squint so that treatment can be carried out optimally. The following describes five eye tests or examinations that can be performed on people suspected of having crossed eyes.
1. Visual examination (eye acuity test)
A visual examination or vision needs to be done on you or children who are suspected of having crossed eyes to make sure both eyes have good vision. It is not uncommon for people with crossed eyes, especially children, who are accompanied by lazy eye or commonly known as amblyopia.
Examination of vision, aka eye acuity, can be done according to the age level of the child. In children under 2 years, this can be done with a special tool containing pictures that can be mentioned by the child. If the child is able to read letters well, eye acuity checks can be done using the alphabet, similar to examinations in adults.
2. Eyeball movement test
The movement of the eye in the eight cardinal directions and also the position of the eye when looking forward are the components to be assessed in the eye test of this method. A small flashlight will be used to guide the direction the eye needs to follow. In each cardinal direction will also be done cover test.
3. Cover test
This test is done to find out if someone with normal-looking eyes actually has a hidden squint. The test will be performed by alternately covering one side of the eye. Then the eye doctor will see whether or not there is movement in the eyeball. Under normal circumstances, there will be no eye movement even if one eye is closed.
4. Hirschberg eye test
This test is done to determine the degree of squint of the eye in the eye that is already seen squinting in a normal position. The examination is carried out using a small flashlight that is pointed at the eye after you have previously been asked to look at a certain object in the distance.
In normal circumstances, the reflected flashlight will be right in the middle of the pupil. However, in a person with a crossed eye, the light reflection will be in the opposite direction to the cross eye. The shift of the reflected light from the center of the pupil to the new point of reflection is measured to determine the approximate degree of distortion.
5. Examination of the inside of the eyeball
This eye test is done using a special instrument to look inside the eyeball, which is called a fundoscopy. This examination needs to be done on both eyes to rule out any possible problems inside the eyeball, such as retinoblastoma (eye cancer).
