Squint / Strabismus2025-04-10T11:35:42+00:00

Squint & Strabismus Treatment In Children

HELPING TO ALIGN THEIR EYES

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What is a squint / strabismus?

IN THIS VIDEO I PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION

Everything you need to know about squint / strabismus in children

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Squint, otherwise known as strabismus, is a misalignment of the eyes.

This condition occurs in approximately 4% of the UK population. It can affect people at any age, but it is commonly found in children.

One or both eyes may turn inwards (crossed-eyes), outward, turn up or turn down.

This type of strabismus may be normal. However, it is advisable to have your child’s eyes checked at Eye Clinic London, especially if the eye is drifting outwards.

Before the age of 6 months, a child’s ability to fix is not established, and so it might be common to see some form of strabismus.

Strabismus usually occurs when the muscles that control the movement of the eye and the eyelid are not working together. As a result, both eyes are unable to look at the same spot at the same time.

It can also occur because of a brain disorder which means that the eyes are unable to coordinate correctly.

Strabismus also makes binocular vision impossible, so it is harder for the child to perceive depth.

Some children are born with this condition (congenital squint); however, in the majority of children, the condition presents after birth in early childhood.

An uncorrected refractive error, particularly hyperopia, can result in strabismus or cross-eyes.

We must diagnose strabismus as early as possible to avoid the impairment of visual development of the affected eye. If the impairment goes undiagnosed the age of 7–8 years, it can be more difficult to treat.

We will perform a thorough examination to identify the following features:

  • Misalignment of eyes
  • Full range of eye movements
  • Abnormal head posture
  • How the eyes move during a cover test
  • A full refraction to assess the power of the eye

After an initial consultation and full eye assessment, we will tell you which type of treatment is applicable.

The first step in addressing a squint is to provide a glasses prescription that will enable the eye to develop correctly and straighten.

If this doesn’t work, the other option is surgery to realign the eyes.

Squint surgery is considered to be a functional procedure if the brain can restore the use of both eyes working together.

In cases where one eye is switched off by the brain (suppression), there is no ability to make the two eyes function together. However, we can cosmetically enhance the appearance of the eye by making the deviated eye appear straight with cosmetic eye squint surgery. This can help restore eye contact as well as confidence.

Eye squint surgery must be carried out under general anaesthetic.

To determine the best eye alignment, we measure the squint on two pre-operative visits. The muscles on one or both eyes may be adjusted accordingly.

Post-operatively, you may be given an eye shield to wear for 24 hours. We instil drops into the eye for two weeks and review the eye at this stage. After eye squint surgery, you should not swim or wear contact lenses for two weeks.

Samer Hamada and Eye Clinic London enable patients to experience relief from their eye problems so they can focus on what matters most.

How my eye care services work for children

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST IN 3 EASY STEPS
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STEP 1: CONTACT US

Give us a call or click the button below to book your child in for a consultation. Or, contact one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff to get answers to your questions.

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STEP 2: LET’S MEET

Bring your child down to our clinic in London’s Harley Street district and we’ll conduct a thorough examination and consultation to see how we can help.

A photo of two women and a girl sitting on a sofa whilst smiling into the camera. The little girl is sat in the middle, the older woman is sat to the left of the girl and the younger woman is sat on the arm of the sofa in the background.

STEP 3: FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

Have the confidence of knowing that a caring eye care professional is managing your child’s eye condition so they can get back to normal life.

Book a consultation to see how to best tackle your child’s eye condition. Call us or book a consultation online today

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Much like learning to walk and talk, babies learn to see over time. Book a consultation to see how to best tackle your child's eye condition. Find out more.

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About the expert

Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon

MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.