Strabismus ("crossed eyes") has been reported to be markedly elevated in individuals with autism. This article presents the findings from two studies of strabismus in autism. A clinical optometric examination of 34 individuals with autism, ages 7 to 19 years, found a strabismus rate of 50% (65% with exotropia and 35% with esotropia). A parent survey of 7,640 families found a reported incidence of 20% (18% in boys, 29% in girls). As strabismus occurs in only 2% to 4% of the general population, both studies reported here confirm the high rate of strabismus in autism. A number of concomitants of strabismus, derived from questionnaire data, are reported.
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