What term describes a tendency for the eyes to turn from the normal position to binocular vision?

The term that describes a tendency for the eyes to turn from the normal position to binocular vision is phoria. Phoria is a latent deviation of the eyes that occurs when the eyes are not aligned properly, but can be fixed with conscious effort. It represents a subtle and often undetectable misalignment that may only become evident when one eye is covered or is under stress.

Phoria can lead to symptoms like eye strain, headaches, or difficulty in focusing, but the eyes typically work together when both are open. It is important to identify phoria during an eye examination, as it can impact a person's visual comfort and performance.

In contrast, tropia refers to a more significant misalignment of the eyes that is consistently observable without the need for any visual effort; this binocular misalignment is always present. Amblyopia is a condition often referred to as “lazy eye,” where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, usually due to lack of use in early childhood, rather than a misalignment issue. Antimetropia refers to a condition where each eye has differing refractive errors, which can complicate binocular vision but does not directly relate to the concept of a tendency for the eyes to turn away from normal alignment.