Squint is an eye condition where both eyes do not align properly and look in different directions at a time. The eyes cannot focus in the same spot because the muscles that control the eye’s movement are not working together. 

Though it is common in young children, it can occur at any age. An eye specialist in Mumbai can help correct the squint for children and grown-ups. Doctors recommend treatment for squint as it is unlikely to get better on its own. 

If it is not treated early, it may cause further problems with vision. Squint causes eyeballs to converge or diverge and prevents proper functioning of the eye.

Problems caused by a squint

1. Persistent double vision or blurred vision

• Lazy eye

What is a lazy eye?

Lazy eye is a condition where the brain ignores the signals sent by the squint eye. It happens in children and hinders the development of normal eyesight. It causes poor depth perception and reduced vision in one eye.

Squint in children

Congenital squint: Some children are born with a squint. The squint is not noticed till they are a few weeks old. They may have a family history of squint, and most of them need to wear spectacles after their vision is assessed.

Long-sightedness: Children who have long-sightedness cannot focus well, needing extra effort to do it. The brain suppresses the image in one eye to prevent additional stress, and children avoid using that eye. It causes the eyes to deviate and may lead to lazy eyes.

Injury to nerves: The optic nerve,  oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, abducens nerve are the cranial nerves that control the eye muscles. Injury to any of these nerves could cause a squint.

Hereditary: Sometimes squint is hereditary, and children are born with a squint. It can’t be detected during pregnancy period.

Types of squint

There are four different types of squint, and they are based on the direction in which the squint eye turns.

Esotropia: Squint occurs when one eye turns inwards towards the nose.

Exotropia: Squint occurs when one eye turns outwards towards the ear.

Hypertropia: Squint occurs when one eye deviates upwards.

Hypotropia: Squint occurs when one eye deviates downwards.

Constant squint: The squint is present all the time.

Intermittent squint: The squint occurs occasionally.

Concomitant squint: The angle of the squint does not vary when the squint eye moves in any direction.

Incomitant: The angle of the squint varies depending on the direction in which the squint moves.

Symptoms of squint eye

The common symptoms of squint eye are:

• Eyes that are not moving together

• Poor depth perception

• Poor peripheral vision

• Double vision

• Blurred vision

• Both eyes don’t gaze in the same direction at the same time.

• Family history

• Medical conditions like stroke or Down’s syndrome

• A significant long-sightedness forces the eye muscles to stress on focusing, and it may lead to squinting.

Treatments for squint

Any squint specialist in Mumbai will recommend one of the following treatments to correct the squint.

Glasses: A squint is caused in children with vision problems like long-sightedness. Glasses help to reduce the squint and allow the eye to focus better.

Exercises: Eye muscles control eye movements, and exercises strengthen the eye muscles. Strong eye muscles help the eye to function better.

Surgery: When glasses are ineffective, surgery is done to move the muscles controlling the eye movement. It helps the eyes to line up correctly.

Injection: Injections into the eye muscles can help the eyes to focus better in the same direction. It is effective for three months.

Squint treatments try to enhance the eyes’ alignment and correct vision loss. Sometimes, a squint specialist in Mumbai may recommend a combination of glasses, eye patches, and surgery. Squint is not a permanent eye condition, and it is possible to correct it at any age.

Visiting an eye specialist in Mumbai helps correct the squint and helps the eyes focus better. Early treatment is better because squint may make people lose self-confidence and feel conscious of their appearance. People need not worry about squint as many treatment methods help people regain their vision.