What condition is characterized by misalignment of the eyes?

The condition characterized by misalignment of the eyes is strabismus. This disorder occurs when the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. The misalignment can be constant or intermittent and can lead to issues with depth perception, double vision, and can affect visual development, particularly in children.

Strabismus can result from a variety of factors, including muscle imbalances around the eye, neurological concerns, or other medical issues. The condition can often be treated through methods such as corrective lenses, eye patches, vision therapy, or surgery depending on the severity and underlying causes.

Amblyopia, often referred to as "lazy eye," involves a reduction in vision in one eye that occurs because the brain and the eye are not working together properly, rather than misalignment. Presbyopia is the age-related decline in the ability to focus on close objects, while scotoma refers to a partial loss of vision or a blind spot in a visual field. Understanding these distinctions is important in the context of diagnosing and managing visual disorders.