Squint भेंगापन
A squint is when the two eyes do not point in the same direction. One eye may turn in, out, up or down, all the time or only now and then. In children it should be checked early, because it can lead to a lazy eye. In adults it can cause double vision and strain.
- For children and adults
- Glasses, patching, exercises or surgery
What is a squint?
Each eye is moved by six small muscles. To see one clear picture, the muscles of both eyes have to work together. When they do not, the eyes point in different directions. Doctors call this strabismus.
In a child, the brain starts to ignore the picture from the turned eye. That eye can then lose sight for good, which is called amblyopia, or lazy eye. Children do not grow out of a true squint, so the earlier it is checked, the better the result.
In adults, a squint can be left over from childhood or start new, for example after nerve damage from diabetes or blood pressure, thyroid eye disease or an injury. A new squint with double vision needs to be checked soon.
More likely with
- A squint or lazy eye in the family
- Being born early or very small
- High glasses power, especially plus power
- Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and some other conditions
- In adults: diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid eye disease or a head injury
Signs to watch for
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An eye that turns
In, out, up or down. It may show only when the child is tired, unwell or looking far away.
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Tilting or turning the head
To use the eyes together more comfortably.
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Closing one eye
Especially in bright sunlight.
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Double vision
Mostly in adults and older children.
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Eye strain or headaches
After reading or time on a screen.
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Clumsiness
Poor judgement of depth: missing a step or a catch.
Same day
Get checked the same day if
- Double vision or a squint appears suddenly
- It comes with a headache, a drooping eyelid, or weakness or numbness anywhere in the body
How it can look
Our Patna branch, as it may look to someone with this problem. Drag the handle to compare.
How we check
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Vision test for each eye
With pictures or letters to suit the child's age.
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Glasses power with drops
Drops relax the eye's focusing to find the true glasses power. They take up to an hour to work and blur near sight for some hours.
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Squint measurement
The doctor covers each eye in turn and uses prisms to measure how much the eye turns, up close and at a distance.
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Eye movements and 3D vision
How the eyes move together, and how well they judge depth.
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Eye health check
To make sure nothing inside the eye, such as a cataract, is causing the squint.
Treatment options
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Often the first step
Glasses
In some children, glasses alone straighten the eyes, because the squint is caused by high power. They need to be worn all day.
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If a lazy eye has developed
Patching
Covering the stronger eye for some hours a day makes the weaker eye work. This comes before any surgery.
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Some types only
Eye exercises
Exercises (orthoptics) help when the eyes drift outward while reading, as in convergence insufficiency. They do not correct most squints.
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When the turn remains
Squint surgery
The eye muscles are moved or tightened to straighten the eyes. Nothing is cut on the face, and the eye is never taken out. Children have it under general anaesthesia, and most go home the same day.
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Some patients
Botulinum injection
A small injection weakens an eye muscle for some weeks or months. It is used for some adults and young children, instead of or before surgery.
Ayushman card and insurance
All three branches accept the Ayushman card (PM-JAY), and cashless treatment works with most insurance TPAs. Call the branch to check what is covered for your treatment.
If your child needs squint surgery
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Before the day
A check by the doctor and the anaesthetist, and clear instructions on when your child must stop eating and drinking.
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The operation
Your child is asleep under general anaesthesia. The operation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
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Waking up
You can be with your child as they wake. The eye will be red and a little sore.
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Going home
Usually the same day, with drops. Most children are back at school within a week.
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Follow-up
Checks over the following weeks. Glasses or patching often continue after surgery.
After squint surgery
What helps
- Use the drops as prescribed. The redness fades over two to three weeks.
- Keep dirty water and dust out of the eye, and no swimming for two weeks.
- Do not rub the eye. Children may need gentle reminders.
- Keep wearing glasses and patches as advised. Surgery straightens the eyes, but it does not replace them.
- Some people need a second operation later. This is common, and it does not mean the first one failed.
Call the branch if
- Pain, swelling or discharge increases
- Your child has a fever or seems unwell
- Sight in the operated eye drops
Book at any of our three branches
Call the branch nearest to you. They will book your check-up with the right doctor.
- Patna +91 92644 44457 Open today 9 AM to 7 PM
- Gaya +91 91289 03497 Open today 8:30 AM to 7 PM
- Hajipur +91 92644 44459 Open today 9 AM to 8 PM
Questions people ask
Will my child grow out of a squint?
No. A true squint does not go away by itself, and waiting can cause a lazy eye. A baby's eyes can wander now and then in the first three to four months, but a squint after that age should be checked.
My baby's eyes look crossed in photos. Is that a squint?
Sometimes a broad, flat nose bridge makes straight eyes look crossed. The doctor can tell the difference with a simple check.
Is it too late for an adult?
No. Adults can have squint surgery to straighten the eyes, and in many cases it also eases double vision and helps the eyes work together.
Will my child still need glasses after surgery?
Often, yes. Surgery corrects the position of the eyes, and glasses correct the power. Many children need both.
Is squint surgery safe?
It is a common, well established operation. Like any surgery it has risks, such as the eye ending up slightly over or under corrected, which the doctor will explain.
This page explains squint in general terms. The doctor who examines you will tell you what suits your eyes. Some procedures are done at one branch only, so the branch will tell you where yours takes place.
Questions about squint?
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