Early diagnosis helps support healthy visual development and eye coordination.
The sooner the problem is detected, the greater the chance of successful treatment and improvement in visual function.
Eye conditions
Squint (strabismus)
Squint is a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction and cannot work together as they should.
One eye may turn inward, outward, upward or downward.
The brain may then be unable to combine the images from both eyes correctly, which can affect both visual quality and healthy visual development.
Correct eye alignment depends on coordination between the eye muscles and the brain. If this coordination does not work properly, squint develops.
Squint may be constant, intermittent, related to fatigue or present only when looking at near or distant objects.
In children it is important to detect squint as early as possible, because if left untreated it can also lead to amblyopia.
Symptoms How can squint present?
visible drifting or deviation of one eye
squinting or closing one eye
tilting the head while looking
double vision
reduced depth perception
eye strain and headaches
difficulty concentrating during reading
poor distance judgement or clumsiness
Some children may not realise there is a problem, so it is important to notice even subtle signs in everyday life.
Early diagnosis Why is it important to address squint early?
Treatment How is squint treated?
Treatment depends on the type and cause of the squint. It may include orthoptic and pleoptic exercises as well as other approaches:
properly adjusted spectacle correction
occlusion — covering the better-seeing eye in amblyopia
prismatic correction
orthoptic and pleoptic exercises
in some cases, surgical treatment
The goal of treatment is to improve eye coordination, support healthy visual development and reduce visual strain.
Not sure where to start?
Book an eye examination and our team will be happy to guide you.