The test most commonly used to elicit strabismus in infants and children older than 6 months is the:

The test most commonly used to elicit strabismus in infants and children older than 6 months is the:

• A. Snellen Eye Chart
• B. Tumbling E Game
• C. Cover-uncover test
• D. Allen Picture Cards

Answer: (C)

Assessing how the eyes align is essential when screening for strabismus in infants and children older than 6 months. The cover-uncover test directly reveals misalignment by occluding one eye and watching the other eye move to re-fixate when the cover is removed. If a tropia is present, the uncovered eye shifts immediately to regain fixation, showing a manifest deviation; using the alternate cover test helps distinguish latent deviations (phorias) from true tropias. This method targets ocular motor alignment rather than visual acuity, so it’s the preferred way to elicit and detect strabismus. Visual acuity tests like the Snellen chart assess clarity of vision, not eye alignment, and nonverbal acuity tools such as Tumbling E or Allen picture cards measure what the child can see, not how the eyes align.

Assessing how the eyes align is essential when screening for strabismus in infants and children older than 6 months. The cover-uncover test directly reveals misalignment by occluding one eye and watching the other eye move to re-fixate when the cover is removed. If a tropia is present, the uncovered eye shifts immediately to regain fixation, showing a manifest deviation; using the alternate cover test helps distinguish latent deviations (phorias) from true tropias. This method targets ocular motor alignment rather than visual acuity, so it’s the preferred way to elicit and detect strabismus. Visual acuity tests like the Snellen chart assess clarity of vision, not eye alignment, and nonverbal acuity tools such as Tumbling E or Allen picture cards measure what the child can see, not how the eyes align.