Squint Eye: Types, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment.

What Is Squint?

A squint or strabismus is a misalignment of the eye in which the two eyes are pointed toward different directions. This misalignment may be constant for a few while it may be occurring for some others also. The deviation of the eye may be in any direction inward, outward, upward, or even downward.

It can happen all the time. It usually occurs because the muscles that control the movement of the eye and the eyelid are not working together. It leads to unable to look at the same spot at the same time with both eyes. It can also happen because a disorder in the brain means that the eyes can not coordinate in the correct way.

What Are The Different Types Of The Squint?

There are different type of squint which is differentiated in terms of the direction in which the eye turns. Here are the 4 different kinds of squints they are:

Esotropia– When the eye is turned toward the nose then it is known as esotropia.

Exotropia– When the eye turns outward then it is known as exotropia.

Hypertropia– When the eye is turned upwards then it is known as hypertropia.

Hypotonia– When the eye turns downward then it is known as hypotropia

Causes

It can be ;

  • Congenital which means a person is both with it.
  • Hereditary which meaning running in families or suggesting a genetic link.
  • The result of an illness
  • Due to a lesion or injuries on a cranial nerve

If the eye cannot focus the light as it comes it through the lens which is called a refractive error. Another problem that can lead to squint eye include:

  • Myopia or shortsightedness
  • Hypermetropia or longsightedness
  • Astigmatism where the cornea is not curved

A refractive error tends to make the affected eye turn inward in order to get a better focus. Squint results from the refractive errors that tend to emerge usually around the age of 2 years or older.

Hydrocephalus can also lead to Squint eyes as it is a condition in which too much cerebrospinal fluid builds up in and around the brain.

Some viral infections like measles can also cause squint eyes. Other conditions that can cause include the Noonan syndrome and some other genetic conditions.

Symptoms

  • One or both eyes point in different directions
  • Children can have a defective vision in one or both eyes
  • Children with squint close one eye in bright sunlight
  • Children experience double vision in visualization. Some children turn their head and face in a particular direction for using their eyes together.

Squint Eye Treatment

With proper treatment, the risks of other eye complications such as lazy eye, that come from squint eyes can be reduced. Treatment includes:

Glasses

In cases where underlying problems with vision are one of the causes of the squint eye so glasses are your best option.

Eye- Patch

An eye patch is used to correct a squint eye. Wearing it on the good eye can aid to ensure that the squint eye works better.

Eye Exercise

Exercise should not be considered as a substitute for medical treatment as there are many exercises that are often part of a squint eye correction treatment. Two common ye exercise include pencil pushups and also the barrel card.

Pencil Pushups

Pencil pushups are similar eye workouts that make both of the eyes focus on the same point. Hold a pencil at arm’s length nd focus your gaze on it and slowly move the pencil towards you without losing the focus.

Barrel Card

Draw three red barrels of progressive size on the side of a card and do the same thing in green on the next side. Hold the card vertically against your nose so that the largest barrel is away. Stare at the barrel until it becomes a single image with both the colors and either two-barrel images have doubled. Maintain your focus for at least 5 seconds then repeat with the middle and the smallest barrels.

Surgery

When none of the above treatment methods work then surgery is the last resort. Asquint eye can realign the eyes and can also restore binocular vision. The surgeon moves the muscles that connect to the eye to a new position and both eyes also need to be operated on to get the light balance.

Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by john liam