A squint is a condition where the eyes are not properly directed. This condition in children can develop at an early stage. Many cases go unnoticed in the beginning. Small shifts in eye alignment can appear normal. Yet these changes matter. Early recognition prevents long-term visual strain.
What a Squint Really Means
A squint occurs when the eyes fail to point in the same direction. One eye may turn inward. Another may drift outward. Vertical deviations can also occur. The core issue is misalignment. Six muscles guide each eye, but when a slight imbalance alters the pull, the neural signals then compete, vision becomes uneven, and depth perception drops.
In many children, the deviation appears only at certain times. Fatigue can make it obvious. In some cases, the right light can trigger a turn, and intermittent patterns often mislead parents. They seem mild, but they are not.
Specialists at Vasan Eye Care depend on structured tests to classify the deviation. They study the angle, the stability, and the pattern. These assessments guide the treatment path to ensure proper eye alignment and prevent future complications.
Early Signs Parents Often Miss
Some signs of a squint appear obvious, while others require closer attention. Subtle clues often reveal early muscle imbalance or visual strain. Some cues are clear, while others are not. The following are some common signs to look out for.
Tiny inward or outward drift
The drift may appear during focus. It may show up only when the child looks into the distance. The direction might change. But these shifts reveal early muscle imbalance.
Light reflection mismatch
The small white reflection on each cornea should match. If one reflection sits off-centre, there is a high chance of misalignment.
Head tilt or face turn
Children instinctively compensate for misalignment by adjusting head position. A habitual tilt or turn helps them maintain single vision. This postural cue often goes unnoticed because it looks like a personal habit.
One eye which closes in sunlight
Bright light exposes hidden deviations. A child may close one eye outdoors. This behaviour may look like sensitivity, but it often signals alignment issues.
Frequent rubbing
Rubbing can point to visual discomfort. A child may rub more when focusing on near work. This suggests strain due to unequal eye input.
How Specialists Diagnose the Issue
A cover test shows the direction and size of the deviation. The Hirschberg test tracks the corneal reflection. Retinoscopy checks for refractive errors, which play a significant role in certain types of squint. If refractive errors contribute to the deviation, corrective lenses may restore alignment or reduce the angle significantly.
If the deviation persists, the specialist studies binocular function. The goal is to understand how both eyes work together. These tests guide the choice among various squint treatment options.
Overview of Treatment Paths
Treatment varies by cause and severity.
Glasses correct refractive issues. Patching strengthens the weaker eye. Exercises help in select cases. Prisms support alignment in mild deviations. When these do not achieve stable results, squint surgery becomes the next option.
Surgery repositions or adjusts the eye muscles. The procedure aims for stable alignment. It does not affect the eye’s shape. Recovery is generally steady, and children tolerate the procedure well.
People ask about squint surgery cost in India. The fees normally vary from ₹20,000 to ₹80,000. Fees are related to technique, muscular volume treated, anaesthetic requirements, and postoperative treatment.
When to See an Eye Specialist
Seek a consultation if you notice any recurrent drift, persistent head tilt, light sensitivity affecting one eye, or difficulties with reading and school tasks. Children adapt quickly and rarely complain, which means deviations often progress unnoticed.
Always seek an eye specialist when:
- The drift appears more than once.
- The head tilt persists.
- Light triggers one eye to close.
- School tasks seem harder.
- The child moves closer to screens or books.
Early correction prevents amblyopia (a condition of reduced vision in one eye). It protects depth perception and supports long-term visual development.
Access to trained paediatric eye teams ensures precise evaluation. Parents can consult specialists at Vasan Eye Care for guidance. The network spans more than 150 super speciality centres across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Puducherry.
FAQs
1. What is the reason for squint in children?
Causes can be diverse, from muscular imbalance and refractive error to disruption of the development of neural control of eye movements. Some children are born with it due to inherited proclivity for misalignment, while in others the tendency may develop after visual deprivation, preterm birth or systemic illnesses that influence muscle tone.
2. Is it normal for a toddler to drift intermittently?
Many newborns and infants may have intermittent crossing, but any deviation that is constant after several months of age or one which occurs repeatedly at any age should be evaluated by an eye care professional. Episodic patterns could still be signs of early squint.
3. How to fix squint eyein children?
Corrective lenses may resolve accommodative deviations. Patching helps treat amblyopia (a condition of reduced vision in one eye), while exercises offer support in selected cases. Surgery becomes the solution when a structural muscle imbalance prevents stable alignment.
4. When is squint surgery required?
Surgery is recommended when glasses, patching, exercises , or prisms do not improve or sufficiently decrease the deviation. And it is suggested that when such an alignment disturbance jeopardises the child’s binocular vision development or causes lifelong aesthetic worries, it hampers the social life of the child.
5. What is the normal cost of squint surgery in India?
The price range is usually between ₹20,000 and ₹80,000. Costs differ depending on the hospital facilities, the skill of the surgeon, anaesthetic requirements and how many muscles need to be corrected. Insurances may even cover some of the procedure.