Find a store
 Menu

Squint (strabismus)

A squint, or strabismus, is when a person's eyes are misaligned and point in different ways. Read about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Book an appointment

What is Strabismus?

A strabismus, or 'squint', is when your eyes don't line up properly. Normally, people's eyes look in the same direction at the same time. But if you have a squint, one eye or both are misaligned. It can cause vision problems. 

What are the symptoms of Strabismus?

The most obvious symptom of a squint is that the person's eyes don't line up. It might happen all the time, or it might come and go. However, squints can be subtle, and it's not always possible to tell just by looking. 

Squint symptoms are similar in children and adults. The big difference is that adults may be more aware of the change in their vision. Unlike very young children, they can also describe their symptoms more easily. Here are some of the main symptoms of strabismus: 

  • Misaligned eyes: One or both eyes may turn inwards (esotropia), outwards (exotropia), upwards (hypertropia), downwards (hypotropia) or rotated (cyclotropia). 

  • Head posture: People with squints may tilt their heads to try to adjust their vision. 

  • Vision changes: People with strabismus may experience double vision, blurred vision or difficulty judging depth. Adults are more likely to spot these changes themselves. In young children, a squint is often first noticed in photos. 

  • Eye sensations: Some people notice they get a feeling of weakness or pulling around their eyes. 

  • Closing the eye: Sometimes, people with squints find it helpful to close one eye to be able to focus on things.

An optician delivers an eye test to a customer

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above it's worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

Book an eye test

What causes Strabismus?

It's not always clear exactly why one person develops a squint. Some people are born with them, others get them later in life. Sometimes they are inherited (they run in families), but other times there's no obvious reason why the person has a squint. These are the common causes of squint for children and adults.

What causes a squint in children? 

  • Vision problems: Children may develop squints because they're trying to overcome a vision problem. If a child has short‑sightedness, long‑sightedness or even astigmatism, one eye might turn to try and help focus on a blurry image. 

  • Infections: Infections, such as measles, meningitis or other viral infections. 

  • Eye muscle problems: Sometimes, issues with the child's eye muscles may be the cause of the squint. 

  • Genetic conditions: Some genetic conditions, including Down syndrome and Noonan syndrome, may make it more likely that a child will have a squint. 

  • Inherited: Sometimes, a squint may be inherited. Research shows that just over 30% of people with a squint have a close relative who also has strabismus. 

  • Other conditions related to early development: Children with conditions like cerebral palsy or hydrocephalus may develop a squint.  

What causes a squint in adults? 

  • Injuries: You may develop a squint after an injury to the eye or head which damages your eye muscles or nerves. 

  • Stroke: Research shows that over 16% of stroke survivors may develop a squint. The stroke may cause damage to your eye muscles or nerves, resulting in a squint. 

Other conditions: A few other conditions may cause squint in adults, including Graves' disease, neurological conditions and diabetes.

How is Strabismus treated?

We offer a variety of treatments for squints, depending on the cause. If you or your child appears to have a squint, the optometrist will do some simple, painless checks to find out more about the squint and its possible causes. They'll then work with you to develop a squint treatment plan. 

It's really important to get strabismus treated by an optometrist because it won't go away on its own, and there aren't any 'home remedies' that can resolve it. Left untreated, it can get worse and lead to long‑term vision problems. Here are some common treatments for a squint: 

  • Glasses for strabismus: Squint correction glasses can help strabismus if it is caused by a problem with the person's eyesight, such as myopia (short‑sightedness). Using glasses for squint means the eyes don't need to make as much effort to focus, so they will start to line up. The optometrist might also prescribe glasses with prism lenses that are designed in a way that bends light for the eye with the squint, which can help with seeing things more clearly. 

  • Strabismus eye exercises: Exercises like pencil pushups (bringing a pencil slowly towards your nose) or near‑far focus shifting can help improve eye coordination and muscle control in people with strabismus. 

  • Eye patch: An eye patch is placed over the healthy eye. This 'trains' the weaker eye to work harder, which may help solve the underlying issue. 

  • Injections: Injections into the eye muscle can also help in the short term by weakening the muscles so that the eye can align itself. 

  • Surgery: Surgery might be an option if the other treatments aren’t helping with the strabismus eye. The surgery involves moving the muscles that control the eye so that it can line up as it should.

Book an eye test

Can Strabismus be prevented?

While it isn’t always possible to prevent a squint, as many cases are congenital or linked to genetics, you can take proactive steps to prevent the long‑term vision problems associated with it. Prioritising routine eye tests for children under five is essential for early detection, as it allows an optometrist to identify subtle misalignments before they impact visual development. 

Additionally, addressing underlying refractive errors like long‑sightedness with the correct prescription can stop the eye from turning due to strain. Ultimately, while the condition itself may not always be avoidable, early intervention is the most effective way to protect your long‑term eye health and prevent complications like a lazy eye.


Strabismus FAQs:

Find out more about eye care services

Related conditions

Not sure if this is what you’re experiencing? Explore some related conditions:

  • Eye Pain

    There are different types of eye pain including sharp, stabbing, throbbing or dull pain ‑ knowing what type can help determine the cause and how to treat it.

    Find out more

  • Bloodshot Eyes

    A red, bloodshot eye normally occurs when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva) expand.

    Find out more

  • Lazy Eye

    A lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is quite a common condition in children and happens when vision hasn’t fully developed, usually in one eye.

    Find out more

Get expert eye advice

If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, or have experienced any symptoms mentioned above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

Contact your local storeSee more eye conditions