Abstract
Background: Strabismus is a clinical situation in which the eyes are not aligned with each other appropriately. The causes, common types, and prevalence of strabismus have not been revealed yet. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence, etiology, and the most common types of strabismus in Turkish children.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted from April 2014 and July 2018 at our ophthalmology clinic. A total of 70 children with strabismus between 6 months - 18 years of age included in this study. All patients below 6 months and above 18 years were excluded from this study. A detailed history of the complaints, birth, and developmental problems was taken. The examination for strabismus was done with the cover-uncover test, alternative cover test, and Hirschberg-Test.
Results: A total of 3800 children attended our clinic during the period of the study. Among them, the total number of children with strabismus was 70. Therefore, the total prevalence of strabismus was 1.84%, in boys was 0.84%, and in girls was 1%. In children between 6 months - 2 years of age, 6 (8.5%) children had trauma, 12 (17.2%) had a febrile convulsion, and 2 (2.8%) had eye diseases. In children between 2 – 10 years of age, 8 (11.4%) children had trauma, 2 (2.8%) had a febrile convulsion, 4 (5.6%) had eye diseases. In children between 10-18 years of age, 6(8.5%) children had trauma, and 12 (17.2%) had eye diseases.
Conclusion: Febrile convulsion plays an essential role in strabismus up to the first two years. Trauma is prevalent in strabismus after two years of age. Eye diseases come into prominence in strabismus in advanced ages.

Key words: Strabismus, squint, children, pediatric age