Squint Signs ~ Health Guide

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Squint Signs

Written by Mystic on Monday, January 21, 2008

What is a "imaginary" or "pseudo" squint ?
A common misconception is that children with crossed eyes will outgrow the condition. This belief probably got started from the confusion between true strabismus and what is called "pseudostrabismus" or "pseudosquint". Pseudostrabismus is an optical illusion in which normal aligned eyes appear crossed due to an optical illusion. This appearance may be due to a wide, flat nasal bridge and/or prominent skin folds at the inner eyelids. These characteristics hide a portion of the white part of the eye creating the impression that one eye is turned toward the nose. This appearance resolves as the child gets older and causes no visual problems

What are the early signs of squint?
Not all signs of squint are overt. Sometimes the signs are very subtle and can be missed. Some of the early signs of squint are the following.

  • Closing of one eye
  • Excessive watering of one eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Bad mood with clumsy movements

It is in best interests of the baby that the parents visit the ophthalmologist at the slightest sign of a squint.

How will the doctor evaluate it in a small child?


The easiest method is known as the Corneal Eye Test: In this method the doctor shines a torch in the child's eyes and looks at the reflection of the torchlight on the cornea.

The patch test: In this test the doctor covers the eye of the baby one at a time and looks for deviation of the eyes to a particular side.

Ophthalmoscope Test: In this test the pupil of the eye is dilated with the help of a chemical and a look is taken inside the eye.

Squint (Strabismus) in Children

Squint Symptoms - Health encyclopaedia

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