What is the term for an eye that deviates outward while the other eye fixates normally?

The term for an eye that deviates outward while the other eye fixates normally is referred to as exotropia. Exotropia is a specific type of strabismus, which encompasses any misalignment of the eyes. In cases of exotropia, one eye appears turned outward (away from the nose), resulting in a lack of coordinated alignment with the other eye that is focusing normally.

Understanding the condition in relation to other types of strabismus helps clarify its definition. Esotropia, for example, describes an inward deviation of the eye, while hypotropia indicates a downward deviation. These contrasting terms reflect the direction of the misalignment, and recognizing these differences is key to understanding how eye conditions manifest and are classified.