Squint (Strabismus) – Adults & Children
Squint, medically known as Strabismus, is a condition where the eyes are not properly aligned and do not look in the same direction at the same time.
How Squint Appears
- Inward (crossed eye)
- Outward
- Upward
- Downward
Squint can affect both children and adults and may impact vision, appearance, confidence, and quality of life if not treated timely.
What Causes Squint?
Squint occurs due to improper coordination between the eye muscles and brain.
- Weak or imbalanced eye muscles
- Uncorrected refractive errors (spectacle number)
- Poor vision in one eye (lazy eye)
- Congenital or developmental problems
- Neurological conditions
- Eye injury or trauma
- Diabetes, stroke, or thyroid eye disease (in adults)
Types of Squint
Squint can be classified based on eye direction, frequency, and age of onset. Identifying the type helps in choosing the right treatment.
Based on Eye Direction
- Esotropia – Eye turns inward
- Exotropia – Eye turns outward
- Hypertropia – Eye turns upward
- Hypotropia – Eye turns downward
Based on Occurrence
- Constant Squint – Present all the time
- Intermittent Squint – Appears occasionally
Based on Age
- Pediatric Squint – Appears in infancy or childhood
- Adult-Onset Squint – Develops due to medical or neurological causes
Signs & Symptoms of Squint
Symptoms may vary between children and adults. Early recognition helps prevent long-term vision problems.
In Children
- Eyes not aligned properly
- Head tilting or face turning
- Closing one eye in bright light
- Poor depth perception
- Learning or reading difficulties
In Adults
- Double vision
- Eye strain or headaches
- Difficulty focusing
- Loss of confidence due to appearance
- Abnormal head posture
Why Early Treatment Is Important
If squint is not treated on time, it may lead to:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Permanent loss of binocular vision
- Poor depth perception
- Learning difficulties in children
- Long-term double vision in adults
Early treatment offers better visual development and faster recovery.
Squint Evaluation & Diagnosis
A complete squint assessment includes:
- Visual acuity testing
- Refraction (spectacle number check)
- Eye alignment and movement evaluation
- Binocular vision assessment
- Detailed eye examination
Special child-friendly techniques are used for accurate diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Squint
Treatment depends on age, type, and severity of squint.
Non-Surgical Treatment
- Spectacles
- Eye patching (for lazy eye)
- Vision therapy
- Prism glasses
Squint Surgery
- Corrects eye muscle imbalance
- Improves eye alignment
- Enhances cosmetic appearance
- Helps restore binocular vision
Squint surgery is safe, effective, and commonly performed in both children and adults.