Understanding Squint (Strabismus)

- Mis-Aligned eyes
- Double vision
- Eye strain
- Difficulty reading or focusing
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Book My AppointmentWhy Treat Squint?
Improved Vision
Correcting squint can significantly improve depth perception and binocular vision, allowing both eyes to work together properly.
Prevents Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
In children, an untreated squint can lead to amblyopia, where the brain favors one eye over the other, leading to permanent vision impairment.
Boost Confidence
Correcting a visible squint can improve self-esteem and confidence, especially in social situations.
Prevents Strain
Proper alignment reduces strain on the eyes, preventing headaches, fatigue, and difficulty focusing.
Types of Squint
- Esotropia: The eye turns inward.
- Exotropia: The eye turns outward.
- Hypertropia: The eye turns upward.
- Hypotropia: The eye turns downward.
- Alternating Squint: The eye that turns may switch between the left and right eye.
- Paralytic Squint: Caused by nerve damage or paralysis, leading to limited eye movement.

Squint Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatments
- Glasses: Corrects squints caused by refractive errors.
- Eye Exercises: Helps improve eye coordination.
- Eye Patches: Used to strengthen a lazy eye (amblyopia).
- Monitoring: Regular check-ups to track mild cases.
Squint Surgery
- Corrective Surgery: Adjusts eye muscles to improve alignment and vision. It's commonly done to enhance appearance and, in children, to develop depth perception.
- Day Procedure: Surgery is a quick, day-case procedure, and you’ll go home the same day.

Squint Surgery: What to Expect
- Pre-Operative Assessment: A thorough eye examination is conducted, and the specific muscles responsible for the misalignment are identified.
- The Surgery: Performed under general anesthesia (for children) or local anesthesia (for adults), the eye muscles are repositioned to improve alignment.
- Recovery: Patients can go home the same day. Recovery is quick, with minimal discomfort. Vision may take a few weeks to stabilize.

When to See a Doctor?

Early Diagnosis

Adults

Regular Eye Check-Ups
FAQs About Squint Treatment
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What is a squint (strabismus)?
A squint is a condition where the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead, while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward.
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Can squints be treated without surgery?
Yes, many cases of squints can be treated with non-surgical methods like glasses, eye exercises, among others. However, severe cases may require surgery for correction.
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Is squint surgery safe?
Squint surgery is generally safe, with a high success rate. Like any surgery, there are risks involved, but complications are rare, and most patients experience improved alignment and vision.
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At what age should squints be treated?
Early diagnosis and treatment of squints in children are crucial to prevent amblyopia (lazy eye). Ideally, treatment should start as soon as the condition is detected, but squints can be corrected at any age.
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Can adults develop squints?
Yes, adults can develop squints due to various factors such as nerve damage, injury, or underlying health conditions like diabetes or stroke.
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Will wearing glasses correct my squint?
Glasses can correct squints caused by refractive errors (e.g., farsightedness). However, not all squints can be corrected with glasses alone. Your ophthalmologist will determine the best treatment plan for you.
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How long does recovery take after squint surgery?
Most patients can resume normal activities within a week of surgery. Full recovery and stabilization of vision may take several weeks.
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Will I need follow-up care after squint surgery?
Yes, regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor healing and ensure proper alignment. Additional treatments, such as eye exercises or glasses, may also be recommended.
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Can a squint come back after surgery?
While squint surgery has a high success rate, in some cases, additional surgery may be required if the squint recurs. Your ophthalmologist will discuss all possible outcomes during your consultation.
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Are there non-surgical treatments for squints?
Yes, non-surgical treatments like glasses, eye exercises, are often effective for certain types of squints. The best treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition.