Why does my child, who has intermittent exotropia, close one eye frequently?
Children with intermittent exotropia commonly close or squint one eye at times, especially when they are exposed to bright sunlight. We used to think that the bright light caused the eye to turn out, and that the child was closing one eye to avoid double vision. Now, we believe that the child is reacting directly to the sunlight itself by closing one eye. In any case, when the eye is closed, the child cannot use both eyes together. Small children who won’t wear sunglasses may be offered a hat with a brim, such as a baseball cap, to shield the eyes from the sun, thereby limiting the need to squint.
