Squint (Strabismus) in Children: When is Surgery Necessary?
Squint, medically known as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes do not align properly—one eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other looks straight. It is fairly common in children and can appear at birth or develop in early childhood. If left untreated, squint can lead to permanent vision problems like lazy eye (amblyopia) or depth perception issues.
When Should Parents Worry?
A temporary misalignment in newborns is normal, but if a squint persists beyond 3–6 months, it should be evaluated by a pediatric eye specialist. Key signs include:
- One eye drifting in a different direction
- Frequent head tilting
- Closing one eye in bright light
- Poor eye coordination
Non-Surgical Treatments First
In many cases, squint can be managed with non-surgical methods like:
- Eyeglasses for refractive errors
- Eye patching to strengthen the weaker eye
- Eye exercises for coordination
- Prism lenses to reduce double vision
These are often effective, especially if the condition is mild or caught early.
When is Surgery Necessary?
Surgery becomes necessary when:
- The squint is severe or constant
- There is no improvement with glasses or patching
- The child has double vision or poor depth perception
- Cosmetic concerns affect the child’s self-esteem
- The misalignment threatens permanent vision loss
Surgery realigns the eye muscles to ensure both eyes point in the same direction, improving appearance and sometimes vision.