Squint (Strabismus) - Medtick

Squint (Strabismus)

What is it?

A common children’s condition where one’s eyes point in different directions.

This may occur with babies less than three months when one’s eyes are tired. Please do not worry, this is normal.
  • If older than three months then one should be concerned.
  • If left untreated lazy eye (amblyopia) can develop, this occurs because one’s brains starts to ignore signals from one’s eye with the squint

Cause

Syndromes

Symptoms

  • One of one’s eyes turns downwards, inwards, outwards or upwards while other eye looks forward?
  • If one eye is closed regularly when focussing?
  • Tilting head to one side regularly?
  • Difficulty opening one’s eyelids (one or both)?

If over three months old:

  • Blurred vision?
  • Double vision?
  • Decreased vision either near or far objects?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance


This condition can lead to if untreated:

  • Amblyopia  (this occurs because one’s brains starts to ignore signals from one’s eye with the squint)

Please beware of:


Eye test and Driving Authority

  • One should have routine eye tests at least every two years but if one has concerns one should book an eye test at any point
  • Persons over 40 years should have eye test at least every 2 years and you must tell drivers authority if it affects your driving

Exercise your eyes

Focus change

This exercise works by challenging your focus. It should be done from a seated position.

  • Hold your pointer finger a few inches away from your eye.
  • Focus on your finger.
  • Slowly move your finger away from your face, holding your focus.
  • Look away for a moment, into the distance.
  • Focus on your outstretched finger and slowly bring it back toward your eye.
  • Look away and focus on something in the distance.
  • Repeat three times.

Near and far focus

  • This is another focus exercise.
  • As with the previous one, it should be done from a seated position.
  • Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Find an object roughly 10 to 20 feet away, and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Return your focus to your thumb.
  • Repeat five times.

Figure eight

  • This exercise should be done from a seated position as well.
  • Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
  • Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
  • Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.

20-20-20 rule

  • Eye strain is a real problem for a lot of people. Human eyes are not supposed to be glued to a single object for extended periods of time. If you work at a computer all day, the 20-20-20 rule may help prevent digital eye strain.
  • To implement this rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Vision therapy

  • Vision therapy may include eye exercises, but only as part of a more specialised treatment program done under the supervision of an eye doctor, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.
  • The goal of vision therapy can be to strengthen the eye muscles.
  • It also can help to retrain poor visual behaviour, or help with eye tracking issues.

Healthline : Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. — Written by Corinne O’Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 29, 2018

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist/Optician) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Squint (Strabismus) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

Diet, Exercise and Body Manipulations

Exercise your eyes

Focus change

This exercise works by challenging your focus. It should be done from a seated position.

  • Hold your pointer finger a few inches away from your eye.
  • Focus on your finger.
  • Slowly move your finger away from your face, holding your focus.
  • Look away for a moment, into the distance.
  • Focus on your outstretched finger and slowly bring it back toward your eye.
  • Look away and focus on something in the distance.
  • Repeat three times.

Near and far focus

  • This is another focus exercise.
  • As with the previous one, it should be done from a seated position.
  • Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Find an object roughly 10 to 20 feet away, and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Return your focus to your thumb.
  • Repeat five times.

Figure eight

  • This exercise should be done from a seated position as well.
  • Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
  • Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
  • Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.

20-20-20 rule

  • Eye strain is a real problem for a lot of people. Human eyes are not supposed to be glued to a single object for extended periods of time. If you work at a computer all day, the 20-20-20 rule may help prevent digital eye strain.
  • To implement this rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Vision therapy

  • Vision therapy may include eye exercises, but only as part of a more specialised treatment program done under the supervision of an eye doctor, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.
  • The goal of vision therapy can be to strengthen the eye muscles.
  • It also can help to retrain poor visual behaviour, or help with eye tracking issues.

Healthline : Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. — Written by Corinne O’Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 29, 2018