Squint
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What is Squint?
What is Squint?
It is a disorder in which the eyes don't look in exactly the same direction at the same time. It's particularly common in young children but can occur at any age. Squinting of eyes or crossed eyes can usually be corrected with early treatment. It is important to start treating eye squint as early as possible in childhood.
Symptoms
Symptoms
If your child has any of the following symptoms, you should consult with a doctor as early as possible.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, you should consult with a doctor as early as possible.
Crossed Eyes
Difficulty in Reading
Stumbling while Walking
Double Vision
Tilting of The Head While Looking
Hesitating to Participate in Sports
Uncoordinated Eye Movements
Complaining of Frequent Headaches
Causes of Squint/ Crossed Eyes
The exact cause of a squint is not always known. There can be many reasons. Causes of squint can be:
Congenital (a child may be born with squint)
Hereditary (running in families)
Result of an illness (squint may also develop because of viral fever, measles, meningitis etc.)
Refractive error or astigmatism
An injury
Other conditions (Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome may also be more prone to develop a squint)
Factors associated with an increased risk of Squint include:
Premature birth
Small size of baby at birth
Family history of crossed eyes
Developmental disability in the child
What happens if left untreated
It's important not to ignore a squint. It could lead to further problems if left untreated:
The patient may suffer from double vision, as the brain receives two different images from the eyes.
The weaker eye may become lazy (amblyopia), and the brain may slowly start to ignore the image it sends.
The child may not develop normal eyesight, and vision loss in the weaker eye can become permanent if not treated early.
The patient may find it hard to judge distances, which can make walking, driving, reading or playing sports difficult.
The squint may become permanent and harder to treat with age, and it can cause embarrassment or low self-esteem.
Treatment Options
It's important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood.
The doctor may suggest eye exercises for the treatment of the squint depending on the condition of the eye.
If the patient suffers from squint due to refractive error or astigmatism, the doctor may suggest eyeglasses.
The doctor may suggest a surgery depending on the eye condition.
Wearing an eye patch over your dominant eye can help strengthen your weaker eye. The doctor may suggest the patient using an eye patch on the dominant eye.
Preparing for Your Visit to the Eye Doctor
Make a list of the following before you visit the doctor
Make a list of the following before you visit the doctor
All your child's symptoms and when you started to see them.
All medications and supplements your child take, including doses.
Information related to your child's other eye conditions or allergies.
Your family history of eye problems.
All questions to ask your doctor.
List of questions to ask your doctor
List of questions to ask your doctor
What is the disease or condition? How serious is the disease or the condition and how will it affect the life of the child?
Is there more than one disease or condition that could be causing the symptoms in the child?
What are the treatment options, how long will the treatment take and what would be the cost of the treatment?
What risks and benefits are associated with the treatment? What would happen if the treatment is delayed?
Does the child need to take any precautions? Does the child need a follow-up eye check-up and if so, when?
Your doctor is likely to ask you these questions
Your doctor is likely to ask you these questions
What are symptoms and when did the child start having symptoms?
What all difficulties does the child has been facing?
Is there is any family history of eye problems?
Does your child take any medication for any other disease?
Did your child ever had any head or eye injury?
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