Eye squint is a medical condition where the eyes are not looking in the same direction. It is also called stabismus. A common condition is where the squint eye is looking inwards out outwards when the normal eye is looking straight ahead. This is known as convergent squint and divergent squint respectively. A squint eye can also be looking upwards or downwards. The squint can present all the time or only manifest in certain situations, such as being tired, looking at close or far objects.
Causes of Squint in Children
There are many causes of squint in children. Squint is commonly caused by poor control of the eyes by the brain. It can also be caused by improperly fitted spectacle (abnormally high spectacle power). Obstruction of the vision in one eye due to childhood cataract is another cause of squint in children. Sometimes, there is an abnormality in the eye muscle, the tissue within the eye socket or the nerves supporting the eye muscles.
Early Signs of Squint
Parents can look out for signs that their child's eyes may be poorly coordinated or not aligned. The child may like to tilt his or her head to get a clear view of an object. Or the child may cover one eye to view something. It is a sign that the child is trying to remove a double vision.
Treatments for Squints in Children
If the squint is suspected to be due to underlying brain or eye problem, the ophthalmologist would need to perform a thorough eye examination. Sometimes, a convergent squint is no more than the result of the skin fold around the inner part of the eye that makes it look like a squint. This is called a pseudo squint and no treatment is necessary.
Depending on the cause of the squint, a doctor or ophthalmologist use non-medical treatment such as spectacles, eye patching and eye exercises. There are mobile App to facilitate eye exercises for certain type of squint. An example is MyEyeGym (available for both Android and iPhone).
In extreme cases, eye muscle surgery is necessary.
If you suspect that your child has eye squints, consult your pediatrician or family doctor for advice.
Causes of Squint in Children
There are many causes of squint in children. Squint is commonly caused by poor control of the eyes by the brain. It can also be caused by improperly fitted spectacle (abnormally high spectacle power). Obstruction of the vision in one eye due to childhood cataract is another cause of squint in children. Sometimes, there is an abnormality in the eye muscle, the tissue within the eye socket or the nerves supporting the eye muscles.
Early Signs of Squint
Parents can look out for signs that their child's eyes may be poorly coordinated or not aligned. The child may like to tilt his or her head to get a clear view of an object. Or the child may cover one eye to view something. It is a sign that the child is trying to remove a double vision.
Treatments for Squints in Children
If the squint is suspected to be due to underlying brain or eye problem, the ophthalmologist would need to perform a thorough eye examination. Sometimes, a convergent squint is no more than the result of the skin fold around the inner part of the eye that makes it look like a squint. This is called a pseudo squint and no treatment is necessary.
Depending on the cause of the squint, a doctor or ophthalmologist use non-medical treatment such as spectacles, eye patching and eye exercises. There are mobile App to facilitate eye exercises for certain type of squint. An example is MyEyeGym (available for both Android and iPhone).
In extreme cases, eye muscle surgery is necessary.
If you suspect that your child has eye squints, consult your pediatrician or family doctor for advice.
