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Squint
Medical Questions » Squint
| Name: Squint |
| Also known as: Strabismus |
| Abnormal alignment of eyes. When the eyes are both turned inwards the condition is called esotropia. |
Causes of Squint
Weakness or abnormal development of the tiny muscles within the eye socket which move and align the eyes, or abnormal vision in one eye. |
Symptoms of Squint
The two eyes do not align equally when looking at a distant object and appear to be looking in different directions. This is normal when looking at a very close object, as both eyes turn in to look at it. May not be constant and occur only when a child is very tired. |
Tests for Squint
The diagnosis is not easy as a number of normal conditions may mimic it. Specific tests must be carried out on eye movement and vision. |
Treatment for Squint
Special spectacles may be used long term to correct the problem by reducing the angle of the squint. In more severe cases an eye patch may cover the good eye to strengthen the poorer one and eye exercises may be added. In marked degrees of squint, it is necessary to operate to change the tightness of the tiny muscles that control eye movement, which is a technically a difficult operation for the surgeon, but relatively minor surgery for the patient.
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Complications of Squint of its treatment
If untreated, the brain will gradually suppress the sight in one eye to avoid double vision resulting in blindness in that eye. Successful management is a slow process that takes several years, and there can be a temptation for the patient to stop treatment and to miss follow-up appointments, but for the long-term future vision of the child, good care is essential. |
Likely Outcome of Squint
Provided medical advice is followed, the long-term cosmetic and vision results are excellent. The success rate of surgery is very high. |
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