Squint (strabismus) in children and adults: signs and treatment

What is a squint?

With a squint, one eye may turn inward, outward, upward or downward while the other eye focuses straight ahead. Because the two eyes aren't working as a team, judging distances and seeing comfortably can become harder.

Signs of a squint

• Eyes that don't look in the same direction
• Double vision
• Difficulty with depth perception (judging distances)
• One eye that appears to drift or turn
• Frequent tilting of the head to focus

Who can get a squint?

Squint can develop in children or in adults.

How is a squint treated?

Depending on the cause, a squint can sometimes be treated with glasses, eye exercises (vision therapy) or surgery to realign the eyes.

Why early detection matters

Early detection and treatment are important to prevent long-term vision problems. If you notice a child's eye drifting, or they often tilt their head to see, book an eye examination.

From our practice: before and after

Before

After

Treated with vision therapy

Squint (strabismus)

A structured program of eye exercises, guided by the optometrist, to improve how the eyes work together. Whether it can help depends on the type of squint, so an assessment comes first.

Vision therapy & binocular vision assessment

Each case is one person's experience. What non-surgical care can do depends on the type and cause of the condition, so an assessment comes first — and we'll tell you if surgery or hospital care is the better route.

Frequently asked questions