Squint Eye Surgery in Mohali |
Squint eye surgery in Mohali may be considered when the eyes do not remain properly aligned and other appropriate treatments are insufficient or unsuitable. A squint, medically called strabismus, occurs when the two eyes point in different directions. One eye may turn inward, outward, upward or downward, either continuously or from time to time.
Squint can affect children as well as adults. In children, untreated eye misalignment may be associated with amblyopia (lazy eye) and abnormal development of binocular vision. In adults, a newly developed squint can sometimes cause double vision and may require evaluation for an underlying condition.
At iiSight Charitable Eye Hospital, patients from Mohali and nearby areas can undergo an ophthalmic assessment to understand the type and cause of their eye misalignment and discuss appropriate treatment options with Dr Nimisha Nagpal.
Quick answer: Squint treatment may include glasses, prism correction, patching, selected eye exercises, injections in appropriate cases, or eye-muscle surgery. The recommended treatment depends on the individual patient’s condition.
What Is a Squint or Strabismus?
A squint is an eye alignment problem in which both eyes do not point toward the same target at the same time.
Depending on the direction of the deviation, it may be described as:
- Esotropia: the eye turns inward.
- Exotropia: the eye turns outward.
- Hypertropia: the eye turns upward.
- Hypotropia: the eye turns downward.
A squint can be constant or intermittent. It may be present from childhood or develop later in life. Different types can have different causes and treatment requirements.
Importantly, a visible eye turn should not simply be considered a cosmetic issue. In children, abnormal alignment can interfere with the normal development of vision in the affected eye. In adults, misalignment may contribute to double vision or difficulty using both eyes together.
What Causes a Squint?
There is not always one identifiable cause of strabismus.
Possible causes and associated factors include:
- Refractive errors such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness or astigmatism
- Abnormal development of eye coordination
- Family history of strabismus
- Reduced vision in one eye
- Problems affecting eye muscles or nerves
- Previous eye surgery or injury
- Certain neurological conditions
- Thyroid-related eye disease
- Stroke or vascular problems in some adults
- Other underlying medical conditions
In some children, the exact cause may not be identified. Adults who develop a new squint, especially when accompanied by double vision, should have an appropriate medical and eye examination.
What Causes a Squint?
The most obvious sign is that the eyes do not appear to look in the same direction. However, symptoms can vary.
Common signs in children
Parents may notice:
- One eye turning inward or outward
- Eyes appearing misaligned in photographs
- Frequent head tilting or turning
- Closing one eye in bright light
- Difficulty with visual tasks
- Reduced vision in one eye
- Problems with judging distances
Symptoms in adults
Adults may experience:
- Visible eye misalignment
- Double vision
- Eye strain
- Difficulty focusing
- Headaches associated with visual tasks
- An abnormal head position
- Reduced confidence because of noticeable eye misalignment
How Is Squint Diagnosed?
Vision assessment
The doctor checks the vision of each eye separately and determines whether glasses or another form of vision correction is required.
Eye alignment measurement
The position of each eye is assessed in different directions of gaze. Measurements help identify the type and degree of strabismus.
Eye movement assessment
The ophthalmologist evaluates how the eye muscles move and whether both eyes can work together appropriately.
Binocular vision assessment
The doctor may assess how well the two eyes work together and whether the patient has useful depth perception.
Squint Eye Treatment in Mohali
Not every patient with a squint needs surgery.
Treatment is selected according to factors such as age, type of squint, vision in each eye, refractive error, eye alignment, symptoms and whether amblyopia is present.
Glasses and Vision Correction
Prescription glasses may be sufficient or may form an important part of treatment when refractive error contributes to the eye misalignment.
For some children with certain forms of squint, correcting long-sightedness with appropriate glasses can significantly improve alignment.
Patching for Lazy Eye
If a child has amblyopia associated with the squint, the ophthalmologist may recommend patching or another treatment to encourage the weaker eye to develop better vision.
Importantly, squint surgery and lazy-eye treatment are not necessarily the same thing. Surgery can improve eye alignment, but it does not automatically restore reduced vision caused by amblyopia.
Prism Glasses
Prisms may be considered in selected patients, particularly adults experiencing double vision. They alter the path of light entering the eye and can help reduce symptoms in suitable cases.
Eye Exercises
Certain eye-movement or coordination exercises may help selected forms of strabismus. However, exercises are not appropriate for every type of squint.
Your ophthalmologist can determine whether they are suitable based on the diagnosis.
Squint Eye Surgery
When appropriate non-surgical treatment does not provide adequate alignment, squint eye surgery may be considered.
The operation works on the muscles responsible for moving the eyes. Depending on the patient’s alignment pattern, the surgeon may weaken or strengthen selected eye muscles or change their attachment position to improve eye alignment.
The decision to operate is individualised. The objective may include improving eye alignment, reducing double vision, improving binocular function or addressing an abnormal head position. In some cases, improving the appearance of the eyes is also an important patient concern.
What Happens During Squint Eye Surgery?
Squint surgery is performed on the eye muscles, not by removing or replacing the eyeball.
The surgeon accesses the relevant muscle through the conjunctiva and changes its position or tension to alter the alignment of the eye. Depending on the individual case, one or more muscles and sometimes both eyes may be treated.
The type of anaesthesia depends on factors such as:
- Patient age
- General health
- Type of procedure
- Surgical plan
- Surgeon and anaesthesia team assessment
Many procedures are performed as outpatient or day-case surgery, although individual arrangements can vary.
Squint Surgery Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery, temporary redness, watering, mild soreness, irritation or a gritty sensation can occur.
Temporary double vision can also occur while the eyes adapt to their new alignment. These symptoms generally improve during recovery, but the exact recovery period varies between patients.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Using prescribed eye drops as directed
- Avoiding rubbing the eyes
- Keeping follow-up appointments
- Protecting the eyes from irritants
- Temporarily avoiding swimming or strenuous activity if advised
- Following individual instructions about returning to school or work
Do not compare your recovery directly with another patient’s experience. Follow the postoperative instructions provided for your particular procedure.
Risks and Possible Complications
Like any surgical procedure, squint surgery has potential risks.
These may include:
- Residual eye misalignment
- Overcorrection or undercorrection
- Temporary or persistent double vision
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Eye irritation or redness
- Need for additional surgery in some patients
- Rare injury affecting vision
The exact risks depend on the patient’s condition and the procedure performed. Your ophthalmologist should explain the expected benefits, alternatives and potential complications before surgery.
Squint Treatment for Children
Early assessment is particularly important when a child has a squint.
The visual system develops during childhood, and persistent misalignment can contribute to amblyopia, in which the brain begins relying less on the image from one eye. Treatment may therefore involve glasses, patching or other measures before or alongside consideration of surgery.
Parents should arrange an eye examination if they notice:
- A persistent eye turn
- An intermittent eye turn after early infancy
- A child regularly closing one eye
- Frequent head turning or tilting
- Difficulty with visual tasks
- Any concern about the child’s vision
Squint Treatment for Adults
Adults can also develop or continue to have strabismus.
Treatment is not necessarily cosmetic. Eye misalignment can cause double vision, difficulty using both eyes together and abnormal head positioning. In suitable patients, strabismus surgery can improve alignment and may reduce symptoms.
If an adult develops new double vision or a new squint, medical evaluation is important to determine whether there is an underlying cause.
Squint Treatment for Children
Early assessment is particularly important when a child has a squint.
The visual system develops during childhood, and persistent misalignment can contribute to amblyopia, in which the brain begins relying less on the image from one eye. Treatment may therefore involve glasses, patching or other measures before or alongside consideration of surgery.
Parents should arrange an eye examination if they notice:
- A persistent eye turn
- An intermittent eye turn after early infancy
- A child regularly closing one eye
- Frequent head turning or tilting
- Difficulty with visual tasks
- Any concern about the child’s vision
Book a Squint Eye Consultation in Mohali
A squint is not simply an issue of appearance. Depending on the patient’s age and type of strabismus, it may affect visual development, binocular vision or cause double vision.
If you or your child has an eye alignment problem, don’t delay a professional assessment.
Book a squint eye consultation at iiSight Charitable Eye Hospital in Mohali to discuss the cause of the squint, available treatment options and whether surgery may be appropriate.
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