Squint Squint

What is Squint ?

Squint — also known as hypertropia and crossed eyes — is misalignment of the eyes, causing one eye to deviate inward (esotropia) toward the nose, or outward (exotropia), while the other eye remains focused.

Causes of Squint

The exact cause of a squint can't always be determined. Some people are born with a squint, while others can develop a squint in later in life.

Rare causes of a squint include:

Infections
Genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome
Developmental delays
Cerebral palsy
Other brain or nerve problems

Signs and symptoms of a squint in children

Crossed eyes.
Uncoordinated eye movements.
Double vision.
Vision in only one eye, with loss of depth perception.

Types of squint and diagnosis

There are several types of squints, based on which way the eye with the squint is looking.

Exotropia – when the eye is directed outwards
Esotropia – when the eye is directed inwards
Hypertropia – when the eye is directed upwards
Hypotropia – when the eye is directed downwards
Cyclotropia – combination of the above

Treatment for squints

There are four common treatments for a squint:

Glasses can help a squint if it is caused by a problem with the child's eyesight, such as myopia (short sight).

Eye exercises for muscle control can help the eyes work together.

Surgery might be an option in the event that glasses aren't helping to resolve a squint. The surgery involves moving the muscles that control the eye so that it can line up as it should.

Injections into the eye muscle can also help in the short term by weakening the muscles so that the eye can align itself.

Squint (strabismus)

What is Squint ?

Causes of Squint

Signs and symptoms of a squint in children

Types of squint and diagnosis

Treatment for squints