Squint Correction Surgery (Strabismus)

Overview

A squint, also known as strabismus, is a common eye disorder in which the eyes point in separate directions instead of moving and focussing together in the same direction. It affects one in every twenty children. Squints usually appear before the child reaches the age of five, however the disorder can appear later in life.

Squint symptoms are plainly visible. One of the patient's eyes may be turned outwards, inwards, downwards, or upwards, while the other is turned forward. It is crucial to note, however, that not all squints are constant—there may be times when the eyes appear normal. Minor squints are not visible and may be mistaken for another condition.

A squint can produce impaired or double vision in addition to its influence on an individual's look. If not addressed, the patient may develop amblyopia, or lazy eye. Furthermore, the vision in one eye will not develop properly, causing the individual to rely more on the healthy eye and the brain to reject signals coming from the squinted eye.