What is Squint?

A squint is also known as strabismus, where the eyes are not aligned in the same direction. Mostly children get impacted by squint eyes, and it can be constant or intermittent, but it can occur at any age. The squint can be present only part of the time, in one or alternating between two eyes. The squinting may turn in (converge), turn out (diverge), or sometimes turn up or down.

If the squint is suspected, then it is necessary to evaluate the baby at the earliest. Sometimes a “Pseudo Squint” may be present due to a wide gap between the eyes, flat nose bridge where the eyes do appear misaligned but do not actually have the squint. The causes are:

•  Congenital Squint - These children are born with a squint though it may not be obvious for few weeks. A strong family history could be present.In all children, the vision and need for spectacles have to be assessed.
•  Long Sightedness or Hypermetropia - As the child cannot focus well, he has to put extra effort to focus, which can cause a double vision. To avoid this, the image in one eye is suppressed unconsciously and in turn, the child avoids using that eye. If left untreated not only does the eye deviate but also becomes a lazy Eye (Amblyopia).
• Childhood illnesses - Squint may also develop because of viral fever, measles, meningitis etc ...
• Injury to the nerves 
• Hereditary

Is Squint Eye Only A Cosmetic Problem?

Not always. It can be associated with decreased vision or diplopia (double vision). Loss of binocular vision (ability to use the Eyes together) can lead to loss of fine stereopsis (depth perception) and peripheral visual field.

How Can The Squint Be Assessed?

It is assessed by various orthoptics tests, the aim of which is to

• Establish the amount and type of Squint eye
• Assess how well can the Child / Adult see = refraction
• Test for Binocular Vision
•  Fundus examination including fixation pattern 

Treatment Options For Childhood Squint 

The child is thoroughly assessed to know the type of squint as it is very important to note the vision and fixation pattern in both eyes. The spectacle power and degree of squint will be examined till he grows up. Any residual squint that may not be corrected by spectacle can be corrected by eye surgery …

Amblyopia / Lazy Eye

This is treated by Patching/Occluding the good eye. The weaker eye is encouraged to work harder with visual activities such as colouring and reading while a patch is on.

Squint Surgery

Sometimes this is the only choice to straighten the eye. If done at appropriate time results can be very good and 3D vision can develop.