What is the term for the involuntary turning inward of the eyes that is common in neonates?

The term for the involuntary turning inward of the eyes, particularly in neonates, is known as esotropia. This condition is a type of strabismus, where one or both eyes turn inward towards the nose. In infants and young children, it is common for some degree of misalignment of the eyes to occur as their visual system develops. Esotropia signifies that the eyes are not properly aligned when a person looks at an object, and this misalignment can sometimes resolve as the child grows and their visual system matures.

In the context of the other terms, strabismus is the broader term that encompasses all types of eye misalignment, including both esotropia (inward turning) and exotropia (outward turning). Hyperopia, or farsightedness, refers to a refractive error where distant objects can be seen more clearly than close ones, and it is not directly related to the alignment of the eyes. Therefore, esotropia is the most accurate term to describe the specific condition of the inward turning of the eyes in neonates.