What is Squint?

Strabismus, also known as squint, is a condition where both your eyes do not look together in the same direction. So if one of your eyes looks straight ahead, the other turns to point inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards. The turning of the eye may remain constant or it may come and go. Most squints are seen in young children; about one in twenty, to be precise. Sometimes squints can develop in older kids or even in adults. Strabismus is also known by many other names like crossed eyes, wandering eyes, cock eye, wall eyed and deviating eye.

When your eye turns inwards (towards the nose), it is called Esotropia. If your eye turns outwards (away from the nose), it is known as Exotropia. When one of your eyes turn upwards or downwards, its is called Hypertropia.

What are the Available Tests for Squint?

Apart from the standard ophthalmic examination, there are multiple tests for squint eye like:

1. A retinal examination is one of the most common tests for squint.
2. Visual Acuity testing.
3. Corneal light reflex.
4. Cover/ Uncover Test.
5. Brain and Nervous System testing

Squint Treatment

Our doctors carefully examine and determine the type of squint (esotropia, exotropia, hypertropia, and hypotropia). Based on your eye condition, they offer the best types of squint treatment. The treatment options include:

1. Patching: Sometimes, children may develop lazy eyes (amblyopia), which can be one of the causes of squint. Before squint, it is important to treat this eye condition first to prevent further damage. Patching allows the weak eye to get strength, resulting in improved alignment of your eyes.
2. Corrective Lenses/Contact Lenses: If you have vision difficulties, your eye doctor analyses it and uses corrective lenses to help you focus straight on any object. Resultantly, this treats squint eyes and align them properly.
3. Eye Exercises: Eye exercises or orthoptics are effective on particular types of squint, like convergence insufficiency (difficulty in focusing on nearby objects).
4. Medications: For squint eye treatment, your doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointments. Sometimes, they suggest a Botox injection shot to treat an overactive eye muscle.
5. Eye Muscle Surgery: Squint surgery is the most common squint eye treatment. In this squint eye operation, eye doctors carefully change the length of eye muscles’ position to align your eyes in proper order.
   If your doctor moves your eye muscles to tighten, it is termed recession.
   In this squint surgery, your squint surgeon shortens the eye muscle by folding it and reattaching it to your eyes.