Squint (Adult & Kids)
Squint is a misalignment of the eye where the two eyes are pointed towards different directions.
The misalignment may be constant for a few, while it may be intermittently occurring for some others. The deviation of the eye may be in any direction - inward, outward, upward or downward. If the child is not treated at the appropriate time, a condition called amblyopia (lazy eyes) occurs, which eventually leads to permanent loss of vision.
Causes of Squint
Myopia, Hypotropia, Normal Eye, Astigmatism
Heredity
Weakness of the eye muscles or problem with the nerves in the eye muscles
Blurred or poor vision caused due to cataract, corneal scars, glaucoma, refractive errors, optic nerve disease, retinal disease, tumors of the eye etc.,
Symptoms of Squint
One eye or both eyes point to different directions
Children can have defective vision in one eye or both eyes
Children with squint, sometimes close one eye in bright sunlight
Some children turn their face or tilt their head in a specific direction in order to use their eyes together
Children sometimes experience double vision or confusion
Treatment
Do you know squint / crossed eyes are treatable? It can be corrected with or without surgery. Different sqiont needs different treatment. Squint may be treated by glasses, some by exercise or prism and some squint need surgery.
Treatment
Benefits of squint surgery on time :
It can prevent amblyopia and thus improves vision .
It can restore binocular function like depth perception.
It improves cosmesis and boosts confidence.
Squint due to refractive errors is corrected by prescribing suitable spectacles. Amblyopia treated with occlusion therapy.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment is given to the child based upon the improvement in vision by spectacles correction and patching therapy. The misaligned eyes can be straightened through surgery. In this surgery, the muscles are detached from their original insertion and shifted to a different spot. The amount of shift is based on the measurement done with special prisms.
Stay in the hospital is only for a day.
Treatment does not stop with surgery. Glasses may have to be continued to maintain clarity of vision. Patching therapy / vision therapy may be needed to be continued for some time after the surgery
