What is the term for squint or cross-eyedness, a condition of ocular alignment?

The term that describes the condition of ocular misalignment, commonly referred to as squint or cross-eyedness, is strabismus. This condition occurs when the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object, which can lead to various visual complications. Strabismus can result in a range of problems, including difficulty in coordinating eye movements and a lack of depth perception.

Amblyopia, sometimes known as "lazy eye," refers to a condition where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, often due to strabismus or other factors, but it does not specifically denote the misalignment itself. Diplopia, or double vision, is when a person sees two images of one object and can be associated with strabismus but describes a symptom rather than the condition itself. Myopia, or nearsightedness, describes a refractive error affecting focus at varying distances and is unrelated to ocular alignment.

Understanding strabismus is essential, as it plays a significant role in visual development and can lead to complications like amblyopia if not addressed properly.