[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1602488691191{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css_animation=”slideInUp” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10063″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The most common types of squints are inward (esotropia) and outward (exotropia) squint which can develop in both young children and adults too.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:34px|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24|line_height:34px” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][ultimate_fancytext strings_textspeed=”350″ strings_backspeed=”0″ fancytext_tag=”h3″ fancytext_strings=”By Ridzvaani Nagarajen” strings_font_style=”font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;” strings_font_size=”desktop:15px;” fancytext_color=”#ed1c24″ strings_font_family=”font_family:Montserrat|font_call:Montserrat|variant:regular”][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]Did you know that squint can be related to refractive errors or other eye conditions such as myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long-sightedness) or astigmatism? Also, for some children, a squint condition known as ‘idiopathic’ can develop with no particular causes.
There are many reasons why squint develops. To find out more on squint and its causes, we spoke to Consultant Ophthalmologist from Vista Eye Specialist, Dr. Azhar Bin Zainuddin.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1597027682459{margin-top: 3% !important;margin-bottom: 3% !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_carousel slides_on_desk=”1″ slides_on_tabs=”1″ slides_on_mob=”1″ infinite_loop=”off” autoplay=”off” next_icon=”ultsl-arrow-right2″ prev_icon=”ultsl-arrow-left2″ dots_color=”#ed1c24″ adaptive_height=”on” centermode=”” item_space=”0″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10050″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”2em”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602666916263{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp”][info_list_item list_title=”How would you define squint?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar Bin Zainuddin: Crossed-eyes or squint is a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. It usually occurs in people who have poor eye muscle control or are far-sighted. Strabismus is the medical term for any eye misalignment.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”What are the causes of squint?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: Pseudo-strabismus (pseudo-squint) refers to a false appearance of strabismus that is caused by an optical illusion. The skin folds at the inner corner of the eyelid are called epi-canthal folds and can be broad in some babies.
This is often associated with a broad flat nasal bridge. These features contribute to crossed eye appearance since there is less sclera (white surface of the eye) exposed nasally compared to the temporal side. This is noticeable, especially in pictures and when the child looks to the side. When the child looks to either side, it creates the optical illusion that the eye turning inward appears to be much further into the nose than it should be. However, pseudo-squint does not require treatment as the false appearance gradually improves when the child grows up. Some common types of childhood squint includes:
• Congenital or infantile esotropia: An inward turning squint which normally develops in the first six months of life. There is no known underlying cause (this is called “idiopathic”).
• Accommodative esotropia: This type of squint is caused by long-sightedness (hypermetropia) which causes an inward turning squint. The squint can be improved or removed by wearing glasses.
• Non-accommodative esotropia: This is an inward turning squint usually develops in children between 2 to 5 years old, and is a squint which isn’t improved by wearing any glasses.
• Intermittent distance exotropia: This is an outward turning squint which comes and goes, usually being more apparent when a child is looking at things into the distance. Commonly, parents may notice that the eye turns out when the child is tired, daydreaming or in bright sunlight. A child may also close or rub one eye when they are out in bright sunlight.[/info_list_item][/info_list][vc_custom_heading text=”“Crossed-eyes or squint is a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time.“ ” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10047″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667234358{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp” css_info_list=”.vc_custom_1602664985958{margin-top: 2em !important;margin-bottom: 2em !important;}”][info_list_item list_title=”Could you share with us the different types of squints?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: There are different types of squints, such as:
- Hypertropia is when the eye turns upwards.
- Hypotropia is when the eye turns downwards.
- Esotropia is when the eye turns inwards.
- Exotropia is when the eye turns outwards.
[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”When should one get medical advice?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: If your child develops a squint, each eye will send different pictures to the brain. Their brain finds it difficult to merge the two pictures into one clear image because the pictures are so different. As your child’s visual system is still developing, the brain can easily adapt to stop this double vision by ignoring the image coming from the eye with the squint. They will use only the vision from their better or straight eye. The brain ‘switching off’ the vision from the squinting eye is called suppression and this may cause the vision in that eye to become poor because it is not being used.
Which is why it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible or whenever suspected of having a squint, especially for children. Plus, you would want to prevent your children from getting lazy eyes or amblyopia[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”What are the diagnosis and treatment that can help anyone with this condition?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: A team of professionals are usually involved in treating strabismus such as:
- Orthoptists are experts in how to get both eyes to work together (known as binocular vision) and this includes squints, double vision and amblyopia. Orthoptists are extremely skilled in testing vision in young children, diagnosing squints, prescribing patching therapy and any eye exercises that may help.
- Ophthalmologists are eye doctors that diagnose eye conditions and perform squint treatment or surgeries if it’s necessary.
- Optometrists are experts at testing your vision and prescribing spectacles. They’re also qualified to detect eye conditions.
- Dispensing opticians are qualified in dispensing and fitting of spectacles as well as give professional advice on suitable frames and lenses for children.
[/info_list_item][/info_list][vc_custom_heading text=”“Parents should make sure their children go for regular follow-ups and complete the necessary treatment therapy such as patching and Vivid Vision at home.“” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][vc_empty_space height=”2em”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10044″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667248327{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp”][info_list_item list_title=”Can squint be corrected without surgery?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: There are a few treatment options available, but for every patient, the treatment is personalised. Some of the treatment options available are:
- Glasses: If hypermetropia or long-sightedness is causing the squint, then wearing suitable glasses can help improve it.
- Eye patch is worn over the good eye. This will provide the other eye (squint eye) with a better opportunity to work better.
- Eye drops and eye exercises including Vivid-vision Virtual Reality (VR) therapy may help improve squint.
[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Many are often worried when surgery is suggested. what are the risks?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: Surgery is only performed when other treatments are not effective. Through surgery, your eyes can be realigned and may restore binocular vision. Squint surgery is safe, but with any other surgical intervention, there will always be some risk involved.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”How can parents play a role in helping their child that has squint?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Dr. Azhar: Parents should make sure their children go for regular follow-ups and complete the necessary treatment therapy such as patching and Vivid Vision at home.[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/ultimate_carousel][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1594189719583{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_text_separator title=”READ MORE” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_right” color=”custom” border_width=”9″ accent_color=”#dd3333″ el_class=”read”][bs-grid-listing-1 columns=”3″ show_excerpt=”1″ title=”” icon=”” hide_title=”0″ heading_color=”” heading_style=”default” category=”14,29,13″ tag=”” count=”3″ post_ids=”” offset=”” featured_image=”0″ ignore_sticky_posts=”1″ author_ids=”” disable_duplicate=”0″ time_filter=”” order=”DESC” order_by=”date” _name_1=”” post_type=”” taxonomy=”” _name_2=”” cats-tags-condition=”and” cats-condition=”in” tags-condition=”in” tabs=”” tabs_cat_filter=”” tabs_tax_filter=”” tabs_content_type=”deferred” paginate=”none” pagination-show-label=”0″ pagination-slides-count=”3″ slider-animation-speed=”750″ slider-autoplay=”1″ slider-speed=”3000″ slider-control-dots=”off” slider-control-next-prev=”style-1″ ad-active=”0″ ad-after_each=”” ad-type=”” ad-banner=”none” ad-campaign=”none” ad-count=”” ad-columns=”1″ ad-orderby=”date” ad-order=”ASC” ad-align=”left” bs-show-desktop=”1″ bs-show-tablet=”1″ bs-show-phone=”1″ custom-css-class=”” custom-id=”” override-listing-settings=”0″ listing-settings=”” bs-text-color-scheme=”” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1594697216061{margin-bottom: -10% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:right|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Out of” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594696759538{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”5 Stars” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594697016740{margin-top: -6px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1594780415864{margin-bottom: -10% !important;margin-left: -4% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:45|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594784592259{margin-bottom: -1% !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Out of
5 Stars
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
