Squint

Synonyms

Strabismus

Definition

Strabismus is the deviation of an eye from the direction in which it should naturally look. This means that one eye is looking at an object, i.e. fixed, with the other eye looking past the object. An object is therefore not looked at by both eyes at the same time.

Strabismus in children

About 3% of all children squint during their childhood. This can have effects on later visual abilities. The reason for this is the immature brain of the child.

It classifies the incorrect image information of the squinting eye as incorrect. Consequently, the brain suppresses this information. As a result, the information of the cross-eyed eye is less represented in the brain.

This can lead to weakness in vision in later life. That is why it is so important to recognize the child’s strabismus early enough and to act on it promptly. In children, early childhood strabismus can be distinguished from so-called normosensory late strabismus: As at any age, paralysis strabismus can also occur as part of underlying diseases.

Infections, such as a measles virus, can also cause strabismus. But this is rather rare. Strabismus in children can be very obvious or hardly noticeable.

If a squint angle of less than 5 degrees is measured, this is called “micro squint” or “microstrabismus”. This type of strabismus usually has no effect on spatial vision, but if left untreated, it can also lead to weakness of vision. Other accompanying complaints often occur.

Some children complain of burning eyes, increased sensitivity to light and/or headaches. Obvious, but also hardly noticeable strabismus can lead to concentration problems and reading difficulties. This can cause school problems for children, which are often misinterpreted.

Blinking, winking and clumsiness when grasping objects or frequent stumbling can also be indications of a strabismus syndrome. In the case of obvious strabismus, the children also often suffer from teasing from their classmates. It is important to check the child’s visual abilities.

With very small children, one observes the behavior in order to draw conclusions about the ability to see. For children over 3 years of age, there is the possibility to find out the visual acuity during play. The earlier strabismus is discovered and treated, the lower the risk of weak vision.

• Early childhood strabismus is often accompanied by limitations in spatial vision, latent eye tremor, head tilt and certain (strabismus) movements of the eye in certain situations. This is called early childhood strabismus syndrome.
• A normosensory late strabismus is usually characterized by a sudden occurrence and the seeing of double images.