What is Squint/Strabismus ?
A squint, also called “strabismus” is a condition wherein both the eyes are unable to align properly. One eye turns inside, upside, downwards, or outwards, while the other one focuses on one point. It can happen every time or at regular intervals as well. This takes place because the muscles that control the movement of the eye and the eyelid (called the extraocular muscles) are not working together.
As a result, both eyes fail to focus at the same spot at the same time.
Symptoms of Squint
Causes of Squint
There are no concrete causes for squint. Yet, a minor portion of the squint cases can be attributed to the following causes:
Types of Squint
Squint can be categorized based on the direction in which the eye moves:
Esotropia:
When the eye turns inwards, or it turns towards the nose.
Exotropia:
When the eye turns outwards
Hypertropia:
When the eye turns upwards. In this condition, one eye is higher than the other one.
Hypotropia:
When the eye turns downwards. In this condition, one eye is lower than the other one.
Squint Treatment Options
Eyeglasses or contact lenses
These are used by people with uncorrected refractive errors. With remedial lenses, the eyes will not have to put that much effort into focusing and can stay straight.
Prism lenses
These are the special lenses that help the light to bend and enter the eye and further help in reducing the amount of turning the eye one must do to look at objects.
Orthoptics ( Squint eye exercises)
It may work on some types of strabismus, especially convergence insufficiency (a form of Exotropia)
Medications
Eye drops or ointments. Also, injections of botulinum toxin type A (such as Botox) can weaken an overactive eye muscle. These treatments may be used with, or as a substitute for surgery, depending on the patient’s situation
Patching
To treat amblyopia (lazy eye), when the patient is suffering from both amblyopia and strabismus at the same time. The improvement of vision also can control the misalignment of the eye.
Eye muscle surgery
Surgery changes the length or size of eye muscles so that the eyes are aligned properly. This is performed under general anesthesia with stitches that get dissolved with time. Sometimes adults are provided with adjustable strabismus surgery, where the eye muscle positions are adjusted after surgery.
Squint Treatment Exercises
Pencil Push-Ups
Pencil push-ups are simple workouts for ocular progress that get both eyes directed at the same fixed point. Hold a pencil out at arm’s length, pointing away from you. Focus your sight on the eraser or a letter/numeral on the side. Slowly bring the pencil closer toward the bridge of the nose. Keep it in focus for as long as you can, but you need to stop once your vision gets blurry.
Brock String
You need to have a 5 feet long string with three different coloured beads. Secure one end of the string to a fixed point such as a handrail or at the back of a chair. Space the beads out at equal distances. Keep holding the other end of the string firmly to your nose. You should be noticing a consistent pattern as you shift your focus from bead to bead. The bead you are looking at will appear by itself at the convergence of two identical strings with doubles of the other beads, forming an X. Your eyes are not properly focused on the bead if you see the strings crossing in front of the bead or in the back of the bead. Make sure that you are getting the X at all beads (except the one at the far end, which will just have the two strings coming out toward you in a V).
Barrel Cards
This is a handy exercise for Exotropia. Draw three red barrels of increasing length on one side of a card. Repeat the same thing in green on the other side.
Hold the card lengthwise and vertically against your nose in such a way that the largest barrel is farthest away. Stare at the far away barrel until it becomes one image with both colours and the other two barrel images have doubled. Maintain your gaze for about five seconds. Then do the same with the middle and smallest barrel images.
Squint Surgery
Also called eye muscle surgery, squint surgery varies from person to person, based on the intensity of the errors. Doctors perform surgery to align the eyes. Alignment done in a proper manner reduces the symptoms of squint that are double vision, eye fatigue, and eye strain. During the strabismus surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in the conjunctiva (white part) of the eye. Then, small instruments are inserted into the eye that helps in realigning the eye muscles. The eye muscle may be shortened for better realignment, and the incision is then closed. The surgery fixes the relationship between both the eyes.
Squint Surgery Procedure
Squint surgery is a safe procedure and can be done on an outpatient basis. This means that you can go back home the same day. The surgery typically takes 2-3 hours depending on the number of muscles that need to be adjusted. A patient who needs squint surgery goes through two processes in the surgery:
- The first is detaching of the eye muscles and,
- The second is to loosen or tighten the muscles as required.
- Post this, muscles need to be stitched with some dissolvable tissues. In medical terms, the two processes are called “Recession’, and “Resection”
Squint Surgery Cost
Squint surgery cost depends primarily on the number of muscles that need to be operated. For example, if your squint is very strong, then more than one muscle might need to be adjusted, and this increases the surgery cost. Below are the expected cost of squint surgery / treatment at top eye hospitals in India:
Treatment | Cost (₹) |
---|---|
Squint Check Up | 500- 1000 |
Squint Orthoptic Exercises | 1000-1500 |
Squint Surgery for 1 Muscles | 20000-25000 |
Squint Surgery for 2 Muscles | 25000-30000 |
Squint Surgery for 3 Muscles | 30000-35000 |
Eye Mantra foundation provides free squint surgeries for the “underprivileged sections of society”. So anyone who is unable to afford the treatment expenses, can come to our hospital and get this squint surgery done free of cost or at a very nominal price.
Best Eye Hospitals for Squint Treatment
India has one of the best eye hospitals for cataract surgery such as AIIMS, Sankara Nethralaya, LVPEI and Eye Mantra. Eye Mantra is one of the leaders in Squint treatment with over 10,000+ eyes operated so far by its doctors.
If we objectively evaluate all the treatment facilities, in terms of the training experience of doctors, and access to technology, as well as patient care and ease of access, Eye Mantra is one of the best to treat Squint.
Latest technology with specialized approach, gives the most beneficial results after squint surgery by our top cataract surgeons in Delhi and other cities. Consult today with our expert squint eye doctors.
Top Squint Surgeons
Squint Facilities
OCT
NCT Tanometer
Phaco Machine
Post Operative
Femto Laser Cataract
FAQ’s
What is Squint?
A squint, or strabismus, is a condition in which the eyes do not align properly. One eye turns inwards, upwards, downwards, or outwards, while the other one may turn in another random direction.
What are options for squint treatment?
Squint can be treated through:
- Glasses
- Patching therapy
- Surgery
How To Tell If My Child Has A Squint?
Children are either born with a squint or they develop it in early childhood. Most kids develop this condition between the ages of 1 to 4 and in rare cases, up to the age of 6. It becomes very difficult to detect the presence of squinting in the eyes of a newborn, due to the fact that their eyes cross and wander, in their initial years.
However, an important thing to be focused upon is that their eyes should straighten out by 4 to 6 months. Sometimes, however, it is very easy to detect the presence of squinting, as the eyes seem to be pointing in very different directions. In addition to this, you could also notice the presence of a squinted eye, when kids focus on something close, For example:- in objects like a toy or a puzzle.
Eye squints produce discomfort, encompassing the occasional double vision or blurry vision but kids cannot understand the presence of a squint.
How is Squint treated through surgery?
During the squint surgery, your surgeon does not take out the sockets, instead, he stitches them to attach the muscles in the new position. The option of corrective surgery is preferred to improve the appearance of the eyes.
What are the risks associated with squint surgery?
Every surgery has its own complications. So have squint surgeries. However, the chances of complications in squint surgery are very rare. Complication might include:
- Endophthalmitis (infection in the eyeball)
- Retinal Detachment
How long does squint surgery take?
Mostly, squint surgery takes around 30 to 70 minutes.
Is squint surgery painful?
The pain in these cases varies from case to case. However, the pain is quite moderate for which your doctors provide medicine with. The condition usually improves in a few hours. But some may take even days which again is normal.
Is it possible to correct squint with a glass?
Yes, glasses do come for restoring the alignment but it may take months. Also, if it is not working, you might be asked to try eyedrops or eye patch simultaneously.
Can online surgeons provide squint surgery-related consultation?
Yes, online/offline surgeons at Eye mantra can provide consultation and advice regarding the surgical option for your Squint problem. Your surgeon will help you decide the most viable option for your eye problem. If surgery comes out as a preferred option, he may guide you to prepare yourself for the surgery.
Who are the best squint surgeons in India?
There are multiple good squint surgeons in India. Eye Mantra has some of the top Squint doctors / surgeons. Dr. Shweta Jain is one of the best squint surgeons in India. Dr. Shweta Jain has successfully performed more than 1000+ squint surgeries so far. The results from the Eye Mantra Squint surgery program turns out to be better for many people. Post squint surgery, multiple patients experience improved appearance, Increased peripheral (side) vision, Improved depth perception & Improved lazy eye condition
What are the benefits of Squint Surgery?
There are several benefits of the squint surgery including:
- Improved appearance
- Increased peripheral (side) vision
- Improved depth perception
- Improved lazy eye condition