strabismus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “strabismus” mean?
A medical condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
Any condition involving misalignment of the eyes, sometimes used metaphorically to describe lack of focus or alignment in other contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both use 'strabismus' as the standard medical term.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong medical/clinical connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in general usage in both UK and US; used almost exclusively in medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “strabismus” in a Sentence
patient has strabismusstrabismus is corrected/treateddiagnosis of strabismusVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strabismus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The child's eyes began to strabismus intermittently.
- One eye may strabismus when fatigued.
American English
- His right eye would strabismus under stress.
- The condition causes the eye to strabismus inward.
adverb
British English
- The eyes turned strabismically.
- He looked strabismically at the chart.
American English
- Her gaze drifted strabismically.
- The eyes moved strabismically under the test.
adjective
British English
- The strabismic patient required surgery.
- She had a noticeable strabismic condition.
American English
- The strabismic eye was weaker.
- Strabismic disorders affect depth perception.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and psychology papers discussing vision disorders.
Everyday
Rare; if used, typically when discussing a specific medical diagnosis.
Technical
Standard term in ophthalmology, optometry, neurology, and related medical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strabismus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strabismus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strabismus”
- Confusing 'strabismus' with 'astigmatism' (different condition).
- Using 'strabismus' as an adjective (correct: 'strabismic').
- Pronouncing as /streɪˈbɪzməs/ (incorrect; correct: /strəˈbɪzməs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Strabismus refers to misalignment of the eyes. 'Lazy eye' (amblyopia) is reduced vision in one eye, which can be caused by strabismus, but they are distinct conditions.
Yes. While often congenital or developing in childhood, adults can acquire strabismus due to trauma, neurological conditions, thyroid eye disease, or other health issues.
Yes. Treatment options include glasses, vision therapy (orthoptics), prisms, botulinum toxin injections, and surgery, depending on the type and severity.
Yes. It can cause double vision (diplopia), loss of depth perception (stereopsis), and may lead to amblyopia (reduced vision) in the misaligned eye if not treated in childhood.
A medical condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
Strabismus is usually formal/technical in register.
Strabismus: in British English it is pronounced /strəˈbɪzməs/, and in American English it is pronounced /strəˈbɪzməs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'STRAight BIScuit MISaligned' – your eyes should be straight like a biscuit's edges, but in strabismus they're misaligned.
Conceptual Metaphor
Misalignment of vision → lack of focus/perceptual clarity in non-visual domains.
Practice
Quiz
Strabismus is primarily a condition affecting: