Strabismus
A SQUINT is a problem of the eyes not being properly aligned with each other. The extra ocular muscles are involved in making both the eyes gaze at the same point in space, but when they function improperly the depth perception of the person involved is compromised heavily. Human beings have the most advanced binocular vision and our ancestors relied on this ability to spot game during hunting. Squint afflicted person cannot coordinate their eyes well. Squint problems are treated by both Orthoptists and ophthalmologists. Squints can generally be of two types, depending on the orientation of the eyes. If the strabismic eye is directed towards the nose then it is esotropic on the other hand, if it is pointed away from the nose then it is exotropic. Diagnosis The Hirschberg test is used to ascertain a squint in in eye. In this test a flashlight is directed towards the eyes then a reflection is seen in each of the eyes, if theses reflections are not at the same spot then the person is diagnosed for strabismus. CausesSquints can be congenital, when it is hereditary in nature. Sometimes infants are born with misaligned eyes and this can be properly detected within three to six months from birth. If your eye has been recently operated upon for cataract then you may develop a slight squint. Treatment Treatment of squint involves a lot of vision therapy and eyeglasses. Surgery may also be required if there is no other option left. Misaligned eyes can give rise to several visual problems like Amblyopia. The surgical procedure does not change the vision; instead it aims to align the eyes by modifying the extra-ocular muscles and changing their lengths to various degrees. If the problem is treated at infancy then the faults in depth perception are less likely to arise. If you have developed a squint after a recent eye operation, then only treatment that can be availed is the therapeutic one. Contrary to popular belief, the implementation of eye patches is futile while treating squints. Prism lenses can solve the plight of the patients suffering from double vision due to a squint. Conclusion People with squint often suffer from social stigma. Making fun of someone with a medical condition is not a nice thing to do and nowadays a squint is completely curable as well. Before getting any kind of eye surgery, do not forget to ask your doctor whether there is any chance of getting a strabismus after the operation as a side-effect.
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