Squint Eye : Diagnosis, Treatment And Recovery

What is Squint Eye?

Squint Eye or strabismus is an eye condition wherein the eyes do not align properly in the same direction. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent. In this condition, one eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other eye gazes straight ahead.

Presenting itself in both children and adults, squint eye can occur at birth or develop later in life. In India, squint eye is a significant health concern with numerous cases reported every year. The condition does not discriminate based on age or sex, affecting a broad demographic spectrum.

The misalignment of the eyes often results in double vision or impaired depth perception. It can also lead to lazy eye (amblyopia) if left untreated in children. The social stigma associated with squint eye could also affect an individual psychologically. Therefore, it’s essential that squint eye be treated in a timely manner. For this, surgical intervention like squint eye surgery could prove beneficial.

What Causes Squint Eye?

The causes of Squint Eye are varied and can include the following:

• Nerve Damage or Problems in Eye Muscles: If there’s an imbalance in the muscles that move the eyes, one eye may turn in a different direction than the other, resulting in squint eye.
• Family History: If there’s a history of squint eye in your family, then there’s a likelihood of you developing it too.
• Refractive Error: A significant amount of hyperopia (far-sightedness) can lead to squint eye becuase of the additional stress on the eyes to visualise objects in focus.
• Medical Conditions: Conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, hydrocephalus, brain injury, or tumour can increase the risk of developing squint eye.
• Childhood Illnesses – Illnesses like viral fever, measles, meningitis can lead to squint eye because of nerve palsy or other complications.
• Injury to the Nerves – Any trauma or injury to the nerves controlling eye movement can lead to squint eye.

Types of Squint Eye

The squint eye condition (strabismus), can be of several types, each characterised by a unique direction of eye misalignment:

• Esotropia: In this type, the eye turns inward towards the nose.
• Exotropia: Here, the eye turns outward away from the nose.
• Hypertropia: The affected eye turns upwards in this variant.
• Hypotropia: The eye misaligns by turning downwards in this case.

Symptoms of Squint Eye

People suffering from squint eye might encounter symptoms to various extents ranging from mild to severe:

• Double Vision: This is a common symptom where you see two images of one object because the eyes are misaligned.
• Blurred Vision: You might find it tough focusing on objects properly.
• Eye Strain: Your eyes may frequently feel fatigued or uncomfortable because of a constant effort to align them.
• Difficulty Focusing: Activities requiring focus, such as reading and close work, can become challenging.
• Frequent Blinking: Because of eye strain, you may find yourself blinking more often than usual.
• Eyes Unable to Move Collectively: You might face difficulty moving both eyes together.
• Loss of Depth Perception: Accurately perceiving depth may become difficult as your brain struggles to combine the images from both eyes correctly.

Diagnosis and Evaluation of Squint Eye

Squint eye can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. A primary method used is the Visual Acuity Test. This test measures the sharpness of vision in each eye to identify any inconsistencies.

The Cover Test is another key procedure for diagnosing squint eye. By covering one eye at a time, doctors determine whether an eye is turning inward or outward. This helps in spotting misalignment issues.

Lastly, the Refraction Test and Ocular Motility Test can be used. While the Refraction Test helps measure refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, the Ocular Motility Test helps evaluates the movement and coordination of the eye muscles.

How Can Squint Eye be Treated?

Squint eye treatment is usually a combination of several methods. Glasses can be prescribed to correct refractive errors and help alleviate squint eye. Further, an Eye Patch can be worn on the good eye to strengthen the weaker one. Eye Exercises are another way to help improve eye alignment. Specific exercises like Pencil Pushups and Barrel Card could be beneficial.

However, in cases where other treatments are found ineffective, squint eye surgery could be considered. It is performed to realign the eyes and restore binocular vision. Early detection and treatment of squint eye are crucial to prevent complications such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and to achieve optimal results from the treatment process.

When is Squint Eye Considered Serious?

Often overlooked, squint eye can lead to grave consequences if left untreated. Here are some situations wherein squint eye is considered serious:

• Amblyopia or Lazy Eye: If the squint is not rectified promptly, the brain may start discounting images from the misaligned eye, causing amblyopia. This can result in permanent vision loss if not treated immediately.
• Loss of Depth Perception: Continuous strabismus can lead to an inability to perceive depth because of binocular vision being impaired.
• Double Vision: Misaligned eyes send conflicting signals to the brain, resulting in double vision.
• Low Self-Esteem: Untreated squint can impact a child’s self-confidence and make them introverted, affecting their speaking and reading skills.

Prevention of Squint Eye

While it’s challenging to prevent squint eye entirely, early detection and promptly consulting a specialist can significantly reduce its impact. If there’s a family history of squint or if your child shows signs of a misaligned eye, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist right away. It’s important to note that strabismus isn’t just a cosmetic problem; it can lead to severe complications including loss of vision if left untreated.

Myths & Facts About Squint Eye

Squint eye often comes with a plethora of myths that cloud its understanding. Let’s debunk a few:

Myth 1: Surgery is the only cure for squint.

Fact: While squint eye surgery is an option, non-surgical alternatives like vision therapy and corrective lenses can be equally beneficial.

Myth 2: Vision therapy for squint is ineffective.

Fact: Contrarily, vision therapy has demonstrated significant improvements in aligning squint and enhancing visual functionality without needing surgical intervention.

Myth 3: Squint correction is merely cosmetic.

Fact: Untreated squint can result in vision problems and reduced depth perception, making it far from just a cosmetic issue.

Myth 4: Squint laser eye surgery is equivalent to LASIK.

Fact: Unlike LASIK that helps correct refractive errors, squint laser surgery reshapes the cornea to better align the eyes.

When to Consult a Doctor for Squint Eye?

It’s crucial to consult an ophthalmologist if you notice your eyes or your child’s eyes appearing crossed or misaligned. Regular eye check-ups can help detect squint eye early, making treatment more effective. While determining whether squint eye surgery is required, professional guidance is essential for exploring all treatment options and ensuring effective management of the condition.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Squint Eye

1. Can squint be corrected?
2. Is squint genetic?
3. How does squint affect vision?
4. What are the risks associated with squint surgery?
5. How long does it take for eyes to return to normal after surgery?
6. Can squint return after being corrected?
7. How effective is vision therapy for treating squint?
8. What are the benefits and drawbacks of squint laser surgery?