Squint: symptoms, causes and which doctor to see

For squint you can first see: Ophthalmology or Pediatrics. In large hospitals, the Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology unit also deals with this. If you are not sure, a family doctor (general practitioner) can assess you first and refer you to the right specialist.

Common symptoms: one eye turning in or out; a turn that is more noticeable when tired or daydreaming; a child tilting the head to look; double vision in adults; the light reflection in the pupils being in different places in photos. Symptoms vary from person to person; a doctor’s examination is needed for a diagnosis.

The most common causes: imbalance of the eye muscles; high long-sightedness (inward turn in children); a family history of squint; in adults, cranial nerve palsies, diabetes, thyroid eye disease; congenital causes and prematurity. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.

Treatment is with glasses, patching and, if needed, eye muscle surgery. In children, early treatment is important for vision and depth perception to develop.

An occasional turn can be seen in the first months; a turn that continues after 4–6 months or is constant should be assessed by an eye doctor.

It depends on the type of squint; some types need surgery at an early age, some improve with glasses alone. The eye doctor decides.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call 112 without delay: “Is there sudden double vision or squint in an adult?” “Is there a drooping eyelid, severe headache or slurred speech as well?” “Is there a white glow in a child’s pupil?” “Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up?” “Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg?” “Are you struggling to breathe even at rest?”

See a doctor: a constant or intermittent turn is noticed in a child; the same day for a new squint or double vision in an adult.