During an eye exam, what is typically used to determine if esotropia is present?

The cover/uncover test is a crucial tool in assessing the presence of esotropia, which is a form of strabismus where one eye turns inward. This test helps to reveal any misalignment of the eyes by evaluating how each eye behaves when the other is covered. In performing the test, one eye is covered while the other is uncovered, and the practitioner observes the movement of the covered eye when it is revealed. If the covered eye moves to align itself straight when the cover is removed, this indicates that there was a deviation, consistent with esotropia.

Pupil dilation is more related to assessing the health of the retina and optic nerve, rather than directly determining strabismus conditions. Retinoscopy is used primarily to measure refractive error and does not provide direct evidence of eye alignment issues. Tonometry measures intraocular pressure and is important for glaucoma testing, but it is not relevant for diagnosing eye alignment problems like esotropia. Thus, the cover/uncover test specifically targets the detection of misalignment, making it the most appropriate choice.