Squint

Examination to diagnose and monitor Squint

A large degree of squint sometimes is diagnosed by inspection. Movements of the eyes both independently and coordinated should be checked to diagnose underlying paralysis or other causes of restriction of movements.

• Cover test in which the doctor will alternatively cover and uncover your eyes to check for any underlying squint which manifests only when one eye is open
• Examination to check the pupil, the retina and the optic nerve to rule out other causes of squint

Treatment for Squint

Treatment of squint is done mainly for 3 different reasons – cosmesis, to improve visual sharpness, and maintaining a single vision using both eyes. Your doctor might advise surgery if required but other treatment options include:

• Usually, squint is associated with refractive errors which can be corrected with spectacles or contact lenses.
• Exercises for the eye to better control and coordinate eye movements can be taught and have been successful in correcting the defect in certain cases.
• Botulin injections, commonly used as an anti-wrinkle therapy can be used on the muscles. This weakens the muscle’s strength and can correct the defect. However, the effect lasts only around 3 months.
• Correction of amblyopia is done by prescribing eye patches.

Surgery for squint usually entails a procedure that lasts around an hour. You or your child will be put under general anesthesia and an instrument called a lid speculum will be used to open up your eye. The appropriate muscle in the back of your eye will be cut and slightly moved to a different place. This is done to correct the defect and the muscle will be sutured with dissolvable stitches and will be behind your eye and out of your sight. Immediate return to daily activities is expected and very rarely would you or your child require a second step of corrective procedure.

Squint affects patients in many ways, from cosmetic issues to vision loss, therefore appropriate treatment is very important to correct the pathology.