Squinting refers to the act of looking at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed to see better or more clearly. 'Squint' also means having eyes that tend to look in different directions. In medical terms, it is also called strabismus, whereas people generally refer to it as "crossed eyes" or "lazy eye."
People who have squinted eyes experience trouble focusing on certain objects. This is because both their eyes don't look at the same place at the same time. If you, too, have the condition, it is important to detect it early and get proper treatment. Here's what Dr Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Consultant and Eye Surgeon, Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi, told the OnlyMyHealth team.
Also Read: Conjunctivitis Explained: Can Eye Flu Spread Just By Looking Into Someone’s Eyes?
Understanding Squint Eye
Dr Singh said, “A squint is an asymmetry or misalignment of one or both eyes,” adding that it can occur in people of all ages, including adults and children.
According to StatsPearls Publishing, strabismus, or squint eye, affects 2–5% of the general population. Reportedly, the overall incidence rate of the condition in India is 4–6%, which increases up to 30–40% in premature babies.
The condition can be classified into four different types, depending on the direction in which the eye turns:
Esotropia: Inward turning
Exotropia: Outward turning
Hypertropia: Upward turning
Hypotropia: Downward turning
What Causes The Condition?
Discussing the causes of strabismus, Dr Singh shared that in children, the condition can be a result of refractive error and weak vision, non-refractive squint, a neurological condition that results in eye muscle weakening, or a genetic condition that is inherited, meaning that it is passed down from one generation to the next.
On the other hand, adults may develop squinted eyes due to any disease that causes damage to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eyes or because of brain lesions. Additionally, certain chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, can increase a person’s risk of developing the condition.
The doctor further noted that eye-crossing may occur in babies younger than 20 weeks of age, which may require consultation with an ophthalmologist, especially if it continues after the child turns 4 months old. Some of the warning signs for children include:
- Sudden, newly developed squint
- Tilting of the head while watching TV or reading a book
- A child squeezing their eyes
- Frequent eye rubbing by the child; and twitching or blinking of the eye
Common Symptoms To Note
Some of the general symptoms associated with strabismus or squint eye include:
- Weakness in or around the eye
- Double vision
- Blurry vision
- Trouble reading
- A loss of depth perception
- Constantly tilting or turning one's head to see an image clearly
Why Early Detection Is Key
Dr Singh said, “The primary consequence of squinting is the eye muscle's incapacity to focus on a specific object, which causes diplopia, or double vision, in adults.”
“However, in young children, it might cause the affected eye to become suppressed, which can lead to blindness, loss of stereopsis, or the ability to perceive depth, and visual loss that is almost impossible to treat in later life. This ailment is referred to as lazy eye or amblyopia,” she added.
According to her, overlooking the signs of the condition can worsen it and lead to major problems, including:
- A permanent loss of vision that causes lazy eyes
- Frequent squinting
- Low self-esteem as one ages
- Increased risk of falling in adults who have diplopia (double vision)
Diagnosis And treatment
To confirm your diagnosis, you must undergo a physical evaluation and examination of the eyes.
Dr Singh recommended getting an eyesight test that can help determine refractive power, including astigmatism (differences in the forms of the cornea), myopia (shortsightedness), and hypermetropia (longsightedness), following which the degree of squint and binocular vision are assessed, and then the retina is examined. You might require brain imaging for the same.
Treatment includes:
- Refractive power correction through dilated examination, refractive power check, and prescription of glasses or contact lenses
- Re-establishing ocular alignment with the help of prisms, surgery, or botox injections (for adults)
- Indulging in eye exercises to increase stereopsis and relieve diplopia; pencil push-ups performed at home are a great way to enhance ocular alignment
- Amblyopia (lazy eye) correction by covering the good eye so that the weak eye is motivated to work harder and get better vision
Conclusion
The eyes are as important as any other part of the body. It is what helps you see the world and celebrate the wonders it holds. Any problem with your eyes, including squinting, can diminish the quality of your life. Regular eye examinations, early detection of the condition, and timely treatment will not only help you correct your vision but also improve it tremendously. Ensure that you do as the doctor prescribes and advises.