Marathi: तिरळेपणा (स्ट्रॅबिस्मस)
A squint, or strabismus, is a condition in which the two eyes do not point in the same direction — one eye may turn inward, outward, up or down while the other looks straight ahead. It is common in children and is far more than a cosmetic concern. An untreated squint in childhood can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) and the permanent loss of depth perception, because the brain begins to ignore the misaligned eye.
What Causes a Squint
A squint can result from an imbalance in the eye muscles, a high refractive error (especially long-sightedness), a difference in vision between the two eyes, or — less commonly — an underlying problem in the eye or brain. A newborn’s eyes may wander occasionally in the first few weeks, but a constant turn at any age, or any turn after 4 months, needs evaluation.
Treatment Options
- Glasses: many squints, particularly inward turns, correct fully once the right glasses are worn.
- Patching: treats any associated lazy eye before or alongside alignment.
- Squint surgery: adjusts the eye muscles to realign the eyes — safe, effective and often day-care.
- Botulinum toxin or prisms in selected cases.
Early treatment protects vision and depth perception, and restores a straight, confident appearance. At Suraj Eye Institute, our paediatric and squint specialists offer the full range of corrective options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child outgrow a squint?
True squints do not disappear on their own. While a young baby’s eyes may occasionally wander, any constant turn — or any squint after 4 months of age — should be checked promptly.
Is squint surgery dangerous?
Squint surgery is a common, well-established procedure performed on the eye muscles (not inside the eye). It is usually done as day-care surgery with a quick recovery.
Can adults have squint corrected too?
Yes. Although childhood is the best time to protect vision, adults can still have a squint corrected to restore alignment and, in many cases, improve double vision.
Does a squint always need surgery?
No. Many squints improve with glasses and patching alone. Surgery is recommended only when alignment cannot be achieved by other means.
Early correction protects sight and appearance. Consult our squint specialists at Suraj Eye Institute.
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