Squint/ Strabismus/ Tropia/ Turned Eye                    

Strabismus or squint is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It typically involves a lack of coordination between the eye muscles so that the direction of gaze of the two eyes is different i.e. there is a “turn” in the eye. The condition may be caused by be either a disorder of the brain coordinating the eyes or a disorder of one or more of the eye muscles.

The “turn” in a persons’ eye may not be present all of the time and may only be noticeable when they look at certain distances.
It is important that children who appear to have a deviated eye or who have family members with the condition, have their eyes checked at a young age. After about the age 7 years, it is difficult to get both eyes working together and achieving a standard level of vision when strabismus is present.

From birth to approximately 6 years of age is known as the "critical period" in terms of ocular development. If refractive corrections are not prescribed where needed or "turns" not treated during this time, it is very likely that a child may have sub-standard vision in one or both eyes for their lifetime.

Treatment:  Often young children with a “turn” will be encouraged to wear a patch over one eye in an effort resolve their problem. In other cases glasses may be prescribed and in certain situations surgery may be indicated.

 
For older people, often treatment will be for cosmetic reasons only and surgery may be undertaken to align the two eyes.

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