Squint (Cross Eyes) Misaligned Vision:
Clear Solutions
What is Squint? (Cross Eyes)
Types of Strabismus
Causes
- Genetics: A family history of strabismus can increase the risk.
- Neurological or muscle problems: Issues with the brain’s control over eye muscles.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia): Uncorrected vision problems can lead to strabismus.
- Injuries: Trauma to the head or eyes.
- Medical conditions: Conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or stroke can be associated with strabismus.
Non-surgical treatments for squint (strabismus) focus on improving eye alignment and coordination through various methods. Corrective glasses or contact lenses are often prescribed to address underlying vision issues such as farsightedness, which can contribute to eye misalignment. For some individuals, prism lenses may be used to reduce double vision by altering the light entering the eyes. Vision therapy, a series of exercises designed to strengthen eye muscles and improve coordination, is another effective non-surgical option. Additionally, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections can temporarily paralyze specific eye muscles, helping to realign the eyes. These treatments aim to enhance visual function and alignment without the need for surgical intervention, offering significant benefits, particularly when implemented early.
Surgical treatment for squint, or strabismus, involves correcting the alignment of the eyes by adjusting the muscles that control eye movement. During the procedure, an ophthalmologist, typically a specialist in pediatric ophthalmology or strabismus surgery, makes small incisions in the tissue covering the eye to access the eye muscles. The surgeon then either strengthens, weakens, or repositions one or more of these muscles to improve alignment and coordination between the eyes. The goal of the surgery is to align the eyes so they can work together more effectively, improving binocular vision and depth perception. This procedure is often performed under general anesthesia, especially in children, and is usually an outpatient surgery, meaning the patient can go home the same day. Post-operative care includes follow-up visits to monitor healing and may involve additional treatments such as glasses, vision therapy, or further surgeries if necessary. Surgical intervention can significantly enhance both the functional and cosmetic aspects of strabismus, leading to better vision and increased confidence for the patient.
Treatment
Symptoms of Squint / Cross Eyes
- Misalignment of the eyes.
- Double vision.
- Difficulty with depth perception.
- Squinting or closing one eye in bright sunlight.
- Tilting or turning the head to look at objects.