tropias

Tropias refers to the plural form of tropia, a term used in ophthalmology to describe a manifest misalignment of the eyes. In tropias, the eye deviation is present when both eyes are open and attempting to fixate, and can be observed without dissociation maneuvers. It contrasts with phorias, which are latent misalignments that become evident only when binocular vision is disrupted.

Common types include esotropia (inward turning of the eye), exotropia (outward turning), hypertropia (vertical misalignment where one eye is higher than the other), and hypotropia (one eye lower). Tropias may be constant or intermittent and can affect one or both eyes. They may arise from refractive errors, congenital anomalies, trauma, or neurologic conditions, and can be associated with reduced binocularity or amblyopia if untreated.

Diagnosis is typically made by clinical examination, including cover tests, alternate cover testing, and prism testing; imaging or electrophysiological studies are used in complex cases. Management aims to realign the eyes and preserve or restore binocular vision. Treatments include refractive correction with glasses, vision therapy to improve coordination, occlusion therapy for amblyopia, and surgical adjustment of the extraocular muscles in selected cases. The term tropia derives from the Greek tropos, meaning turning. See also strabismus, amblyopia, binocular vision.