What is phoria described as?

Phoria is described as a condition where the eyes deviate from their normal position when the individual is not actively focusing on an object. Specifically, it refers to a latent misalignment of the eyes that can be observed under certain conditions, such as when one eye is covered. In contrast to strabismus, which is a constant misalignment, phoria may not be evident at all times and usually manifests during specific tests or situations.

This condition indicates a tendency for the eyes to drift either inward (esophoria), outward (exophoria), upward (hyperphoria), or downward (hypophoria) when focusing is not engaged. Understanding phoria is vital in vision training and therapy, as it can affect depth perception and binocular vision.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of phoria. While muscle strength (as mentioned in the first choice) is relevant to eye alignment, it doesn’t directly define phoria. Mentioning perfect ocular alignment disregards the nature of phoria, as it inherently involves a misalignment. Lastly, while some cases of phoria may require correction, it does not universally necessitate immediate attention like other conditions might. Thus, the definition of phoria is best captured by describing the observable