What condition is commonly referred to as "cross-eyed"?

"Cross-eyed" is a common term used to describe strabismus, a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. In cases of strabismus, one eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards, leading to misalignment. This misalignment can affect depth perception and may result in double vision. Strabismus can be present at birth or develop in early childhood, and it may require treatment to improve eye coordination and visual function.

In contrast, astigmatism is primarily a refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea, leading to distorted or blurred vision. Cataracts involve clouding of the lens in the eye, affecting vision clarity, but do not cause a cross-eyed appearance. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high intraocular pressure, and is typically associated with vision loss rather than strabismus. Thus, the correct identification of strabismus as "cross-eyed" highlights its specific characteristics of eye alignment issues.