In some parts of India, especially among the rural and low socio-economic population, it is wrongly believed that having a squint eye is a sign of good luck. Unfortunately, it is due to such misconceptions that there is considerable hesitation in accessing good quality treatment. Squint eyes are a real health condition that requires as much seriousness, attention and awareness. It has been estimated that close to 4% to 6% are affected by this condition and out of these nearly 93% can be treated with effective treatment.
This article is an attempt to escalate awareness about squint eye treatment. With insights from Dr. Vijay Verma, a top ENT specialist in Gurgaon, we will explore the subject of squint.
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Squint eye, also medically known as strabismus, is a condition in which a person has misaligned eyes. It means that each eye points in different directions. Squint can cause one of your eyes to point downward, upward, or sideways while the other eye may point ahead.
Squint eye is an eye disorder that may remain persistently or come and go time and again. This condition most commonly affects children but may also be present in adults.
Squint eyes indicate a misalignment in the direction of the eyes with each one looking in different directions. Based on the direction they are looking in, squint eyes can be categorised into four types. These are:
What are the signs of squint eyes?
Squint eyes symptoms appear during early years and are usually obvious. Even a small squint, in its initial stages as well, can be noticed very easily.
However, sometimes, a cross eye happens only temporarily. Some newborns and infants may experience being cross eyed when they are tired.
Only an ENT specialist near you or your paediatrician would be able to identify and highlight the signs of squint eyes.
Squint eyes causes can be varied. Some common ones include:
While squint eyes are usually congenital, they may also develop later in life resulting from the above-given factors.
It is suggested that children and babies have routine eye check ups to identify any changes or possible risk of eye disorders.
Your ENT specialist or paediatrician will be able to check any signs of squint eyes and may order further testing to confirm the diagnosis for a well-rounded treatment.
Strabismus is usually detected with the help of the Hirschberg test. For this test, your doctor first uses eye drops to dilate the pupils. Followed by this, he/she shines a light in the eye and observes where the light reflects from the corneas in order to assess the condition.
If the light goes directly at the centre of the eyes, then the patient does not have any misalignment. However, if the light reflects away from the centre, then the patient is diagnosed with squint eyes.
Squint eye treatment is based on the findings of the investigations. Your ENT doctor will utilize one or more of the following methods to help treat the condition.
Squint eye treatment protocols include:
ENT specialists all across the globe recommend doing the home-based pencil pushups for squint eye treatment. It is a standard exercise that is an easy, cost-free and effective therapy done using a pencil, as the name suggests.
Steps to do home-based pencil push ups are:
If the squint is appearing after 3 months of age or happens all the time, you should get it treated at the earliest.
If left untreated, squint eye can lead to various other problems, such as:
If your child has developed a lazy eye as a result of squint eye, your ENT doctor will focus on treating the lazy eye first.
Squint eye is a common condition which can be effectively treated with timely clinical intervention. Surgery for squint eye is considered a top line treatment in which the ENT surgeon detaches the eye muscles and connects them to a new position.
If you are seeking squint eye treatment, you can consult Dr. Vijay Verma at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Ques 1. How can I fix squint eyes naturally?
You can fix squint eyes naturally with the help of eye exercises. The best and most common exercise is home-based pencil pushups.
Ques 2. Does squint eye increase with age?
Usually squint eyes develop during the early years of a child’s life. Sometimes, it may increase and develop in adults.
Ques 3. Is squint surgery painful?
No, squint surgery is done under the effects of anaesthesia and does not hurt. However, you may feel some level of discomfort.
Ques 4. Can squint be treated without surgery?
Yes, there are other methods to treat squint eyes which include injections, eye drops, eye patch and exercises.
Ques 5. What are the risks of squint surgery?
The common risks of squint surgery are another surgery, permanent double vision, infection, and loss of vision.
