In short: Squint (strabismus) means the eyes do not point in the same direction at the same time. It is not something a child reliably outgrows, and untreated squint can lead to a weak “lazy” eye. Early assessment gives children the best chance of comfortable, well-aligned vision.
What is a squint?
A squint is a misalignment of the eyes: one eye may turn inward, outward, upward or downward while the other looks straight ahead. It can be constant or come and go, and it can affect children and adults. Our squint treatment page explains how the condition is evaluated and treated at Trivision.
Early signs parents can notice
- One eye that drifts in, out, up or down, especially when tired or daydreaming
- Tilting or turning the head to look at things
- Closing or squeezing one eye, particularly in bright light
- Frequent eye rubbing, headaches or clumsiness with depth perception
- Complaints of double vision in older children
Newborns’ eyes may wander briefly in the first few months, but eyes that stay misaligned, or any turning that persists beyond around four to six months of age, should be checked. Waiting in the hope that it will fix itself can cost valuable time.
Why it matters: the link with lazy eye
When the eyes are misaligned, a child’s brain may begin to ignore the input from the misaligned eye to avoid double vision. Over time the ignored eye can fail to develop normal sight, a condition called amblyopia, or lazy eye. This is why early assessment is important — the young visual system responds best to treatment.
How is squint diagnosed?
An eye examination checks vision in each eye, the need for glasses, how the eyes move together and the health of the eye itself. Children often benefit from a specialist who works with young patients; see our paediatric ophthalmology information.
What are the treatment options?
- Spectacles when a refractive error is contributing to the squint
- Patching or other therapy to strengthen the weaker eye when lazy eye is present
- Orthoptic (eye) exercises for suitable types of squint
- Prism lenses to reduce double vision in some patients
- Botulinum toxin injection in selected cases; see our Botox page
- Eye muscle surgery to realign the eyes when needed
The right plan depends on the type of squint, the child’s age and vision. Your doctor will discuss the goals and expected recovery for your child.
Worried about your child’s eyes?
If your child’s eyes do not seem to line up, book a consultation at Trivision Eye Hospital, Bandra West. This article is general information and does not replace an eye examination.