How To Deal With Squints (Strabismus) In Adults

Strabismus or squint is an eye condition in which the eyes are not aligned in the same direction. This eye disorder is commonly seen in children. But, it can also happen in adults persisting from childhood strabismus.

Causes of Squints in Adults

Squints in adults can begin due to some medical issues such as thyroid disease, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, brain tumours, strokes, head trauma etc. Sometimes, misalignment of the eyes can also occur after an operation in or around the eyes, such as retinal surgery or cataract surgery. This happens because of the damage caused to the eye muscles during the related surgery.

Symptoms of Squints in Adults

• Double vision
• Complaints of eye fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Overlapped images causing confusion in seeing things
• Difficulty in reading
• Loss of depth perception
• A constant pulling sensation around the eyes
• Inability to make direct eye contact while communicating or looking at the people with both the eyes

Treatment for Squints in Adults

After an in-depth eye examination, your doctor will discuss the best treatment options with you based on the condition of your eyes. Let’s look at some of the squint eye correction methods for adults:

• Eye muscle exercises:

Eye muscle exercises can help treat a form of squint in which eyes cannot align themselves for reading or doing close work. This eye condition is called convergence insufficiency. The doctor can recommend some exercises that can help retrain the eyes to focus inward together.

• Prism eyeglasses:

If you are suffering from mild to moderate double vision associated with a squint, then these special glasses with prisms can be useful in the squint eye correction. These glasses can either be manufactured within your spectacle lenses or worn clipped on top of your glasses. Usually, adults’ onset-squint tends to resolve with time. Hence doctors prefer prism spectacle as a way to keep the patient comfortable.

• Eye surgery:

Eye surgery is the most common squint eye correction methods, and a highly specialized surgery is required in adults to treat it. The doctors surgically tighten, loosen or reposition eye muscles to restore the alignment of both the eyes.

Risks of Squint Correction Surgery for Adults

Risk of vision loss is infrequent from squint eye surgery. But with all kinds of operations, there are risks to consider. The complications with squint correction surgery can also include:

• Infection
• Reduced vision
• Complaints of double vision for the first or two weeks post-surgery
• Inadequate eye alignment
• Allergic reactions

Benefits of Squint Eye Correction

• Correction in eye alignment to make the gaze straight
• Decrease eye fatigue
• Significantly decrease double vision
• A definite cosmetic growth that allows better professional and social interactions
• Expand side vision

Post the squint eye correction surgery, patients may experience some discomfort; usually not severe. With the doctor’s advice, over-the-counter pain medication can be taken. You can return to your routine just a few days after the surgery.

Precautions To Be Taken Post Squint Eye Correction Surgery

• Use eye drops as prescribed by the doctor
• Use painkillers as advised by the doctor
• Don’t rub your eyes as this may disturb the stitches.
• No swimming for at least some weeks
• Attend suggested visit to the clinic as advised
• Avoid contact lens until instructed by the doctor
• Continue using glasses, when needed
• Avoid water entering the eyes and use a clean lukewarm and clean tissue or cotton to clean eyes and the surrounding areas

At the Centre for Sight, we understand that strabismus or squint needs critical understanding and treatment. Our team of eye specialists concentrates on the right diagnosis first. So far, we have successfully treated many patients suffering from strabismus. Strategically located in New Delhi and other parts of the country, the objective of the CFS team is to help all people struggling with eye disorders, diseases, and problems.