Squint (Adult)
Squint is another term for “strabismus,” a condition where the eyes are not aligned properly. It causes one eye to look in a different direction than the other when focusing on an object. Squint can occur in both children and adults and may manifest as:
- Esotropia : One eye turns inward.
- Exotropia : One eye turns outward.
- Hypertropia : One eye turns upward.
- Hypotropia : One eye turns downward.
Symptoms can include double vision, eyes appearing crossed or misaligned, and reduced depth perception.
What Causes Adult Strabismus ?
Some of those problems may include:
- Medical condition - certain medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid eye disease , Myasthenia gravis, brain tumors, or a stroke
- Trauma or head injury
- Childhood onset - some adults may have had squint since childhood that did not resolve, leading to persistence.
Treatment depends on the severity and type of squint and may include-
- Eye exercises are helpful if you have convergence insufficiency squint.
- Prism lenses - These lenses adjust the way light enters the eye and can reduce double vision. A prism can be attached to eyeglasses or made as part of the lens.
- Surgery to correct the misalignment of the eyes
- Botulinum toxin - In some cases, injection of this drug into the eye muscles can temporarily weaken them, allowing for better alignment of the eyes. The effect can last for just a few months, or it could permanently improve eye alignment.
Here are some common indications for squint surgery:
- Cosmetic Improvement - If the misalignment of the eyes is noticeable and causing social discomfort or self-esteem issues, surgery may be recommended to improve the appearance of the eyes.
- Constant Misalignment - When the eyes are consistently misaligned, despite other treatments such as glasses or therapy, surgery may be necessary to realign the muscles that control eye movement.
- Diplopia (Double Vision) - Squint can sometimes cause double vision, especially in adults. Surgery may be considered to correct the eye alignment and alleviate double vision.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) - In cases where squint is associated with amblyopia, surgery may be part of the treatment plan to help improve vision in the affected eye by aligning it properly.
- Functional Improvement - Surgery may be indicated if the squint is affecting daily activities such as reading or driving due to impaired binocular vision.
Before undergoing squint surgery, it’s important to consult with an ophthalmologist or a strabismus specialist who can assess the specific type and severity of the squint and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan, which may or may not include surgical intervention. Recovery from squint surgery typically involves a short hospital stay and careful follow-up to monitor eye alignment and visual outcomes.
Squint (Child)
There are many reasons for squint in a child-
- Refractive Errors : Uncorrected refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism can lead to squint. When a child struggles to focus properly due to these conditions, it can result in eye misalignment.
- Genetic Factors
- Neurological Conditions : Some neurological disorders or conditions affecting the brain, such as cerebral palsy or hydrocephalus, can affect the control of eye movements and lead to squint.
- Injury or Trauma : Trauma to the head or eye muscles can sometimes cause squint, particularly if it affects the nerves or muscles responsible for eye movement.
- Medical Conditions : Certain medical conditions, such as Down syndrome or genetic syndromes like Prader-Willi syndrome, can increase the risk of squint.
- Prematurity
Treatment Options
- Eye glasses - if squint is related to refractive errors, wearing corrective lenses( glasses or contact lenses) may help to align the eyes properly.
- Patching - Patching is a common treatment for amblyopia, where the child wears a patch over stronger eye to encourage the weaker eye to work harder and develop better vision.
- Surgery
- Contact us
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