STRABISMUS is the medical term for a squint – not the Clint Eastwood squint, but a condition where the eyes point in different directions. In other words, strabismus is misalignment of the eyes.
Often, one eye turns inward (convergent squint) or outward (divergent squint). In fewer cases, one eye may turn up or down (vertical squint). The squint may be present all the time (constant) or only at certain times (intermittent).
The usual onset of strabismus in children is before five years old, but it can appear later. Adults too can develop strabismus.
Strabismus often occurs in children who are otherwise completely normal. However, children with disorders that affect the brain such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus and brain tumour are more likely to develop strabismus.
“Esotropia” is inward turning of the eyes (crossed eyes). Some babies are born with an inward squint (known as a congenital or infantile squint), usual onset around sixth month of life. Some children develop an inward squint later (known as an acquired squint), which may be caused by the eye attempting to overcome a vision problem, such as shortsightedness or longsightedness – termed as “accommodative esotropia”.
“Exotropia” is outward turning of the eyes (wall-eyed). It is a common type of strabismus accounting for up to 30% of all ocular misalignment in early childhood. Constant exotropia is rarely present at birth (congenital). More commonly, exotropia develops in a child between one and four years old –first seen only intermittently, particularly when the child is daydreaming, ill, tired or focusing on distant objects. It will often disappear when the child focuses on close objects. Bright light can also induce exotropia and parents often report that the child squints or closes one eye in bright sunlight. The frequency and size of the deviation can increase with time, making it more noticeable.Most squints in children need to be assessed as soon as possible to ensure the vision is protected and to improve the chances of successful treatment. Treatment is to improve eye alignment, and may involve eye glasses, eye exercises, prism, and/or eye muscle surgery. If your child has a lazy eye, he may need to wear an eye patch to improve vision in the affected eye.
In some cases, corrective surgery may be undertaken, most commonly to improve the appearance of the eyes, but sometimes to correct double vision or, in young children, for the two eyes to work together to achieve 3D (depth) vision.
Squint surgery is a very common eye operation. It usually involves tightening or weakening outside eye muscles which move the eye to change the eye position. Risks from surgery are rare, but there can be unpredictability in the exact position of the eyes after surgery and sometimes more than one operation will be needed. – By Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman, consultant ophthalmologist, paediatric ophthalmologist and strabismus
Often, one eye turns inward (convergent squint) or outward (divergent squint). In fewer cases, one eye may turn up or down (vertical squint). The squint may be present all the time (constant) or only at certain times (intermittent).
The usual onset of strabismus in children is before five years old, but it can appear later. Adults too can develop strabismus.
Strabismus often occurs in children who are otherwise completely normal. However, children with disorders that affect the brain such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus and brain tumour are more likely to develop strabismus.
“Esotropia” is inward turning of the eyes (crossed eyes). Some babies are born with an inward squint (known as a congenital or infantile squint), usual onset around sixth month of life. Some children develop an inward squint later (known as an acquired squint), which may be caused by the eye attempting to overcome a vision problem, such as shortsightedness or longsightedness – termed as “accommodative esotropia”.
“Exotropia” is outward turning of the eyes (wall-eyed). It is a common type of strabismus accounting for up to 30% of all ocular misalignment in early childhood. Constant exotropia is rarely present at birth (congenital). More commonly, exotropia develops in a child between one and four years old –first seen only intermittently, particularly when the child is daydreaming, ill, tired or focusing on distant objects. It will often disappear when the child focuses on close objects. Bright light can also induce exotropia and parents often report that the child squints or closes one eye in bright sunlight. The frequency and size of the deviation can increase with time, making it more noticeable.Most squints in children need to be assessed as soon as possible to ensure the vision is protected and to improve the chances of successful treatment. Treatment is to improve eye alignment, and may involve eye glasses, eye exercises, prism, and/or eye muscle surgery. If your child has a lazy eye, he may need to wear an eye patch to improve vision in the affected eye.
In some cases, corrective surgery may be undertaken, most commonly to improve the appearance of the eyes, but sometimes to correct double vision or, in young children, for the two eyes to work together to achieve 3D (depth) vision.
Squint surgery is a very common eye operation. It usually involves tightening or weakening outside eye muscles which move the eye to change the eye position. Risks from surgery are rare, but there can be unpredictability in the exact position of the eyes after surgery and sometimes more than one operation will be needed. – By Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman, consultant ophthalmologist, paediatric ophthalmologist and strabismus
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