Conditions
Squint
Question: What do Barbara Streisand and Abraham Lincoln have in common? Answer: They both started out life with a pronounced squint (technically know as a ‘strabismus’). A squint is when the eyes are misaligned and do not look in the same direction, causing one eye to turn inwards, outwards or sometimes upwards, while the other eye looks forward. The condition affects 5-8% of children (1-2 in every 30) and around four in every 100 adults. Treatment for a squint is most effective in very young children, as the condition will not naturally disappear as the child gets older (in fact, the sight in the affected eye will gradually get worse). Treatment for adults can come in the form of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections, administered into the target eye muscle with a very fine needle. (The eye-patch you were offered as a child never sounded so appealing!)
Watch 5 year old Jake’s operation to correct his squint.
Comments and Questions
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I'm 45 and have an eye that turns inwards. It was perfectly straight until the age of 3 when I started school. I had an operation at the age of 10 but it wasn't very successful and have had to suffer all the bullying and taunts through life as many others have that have commented. I looked into botox treatment about 10 years ago but was told that it could have an adverse effect and leave me with double vision which would mean I'd no longer be able to drive. I just feel so sad that there isn't some form of treatment out there with the age of technology that could help so many people who have had to suffer and try and put on a brave face and hide their sadness (I know there are many people out there worse off than we are) but it doesn't make the mental scars go away of all the taunts and jibes that come with everyday life no matter how old we are.
Hi I've had similar effects of botox and it has turned my eye in and i now see double, which i didn't before. Does anyone know how long it has taken to wear off? I was told up to three months, but am hoping it will be quicker than that.
Hi, I recently had squint surgery done and I've noticed that my eye only looked straight on the day the surgery was done. Every time after that, especially after I've been on the computer for a while and straining my eyes, I notice my squint is still very obvious. But the doctor says she is quite happy with my alignment. Is it possible that somehow i am the only one who sees my eyes as being unaligned when I look in the mirror? I've also been taking pictures regularly and occasionally, my eyes look perfectly aligned and on other occasions,it looks horrible.Is it common for the eyes to drift back to its original position while its healing? Btw, It's almost a month since I had my surgery done.
I had a squint correction in my left eye when I was 21, I am now 42 and concerned it is deteoriating. 1.I read the response regards Botox injection into the muscle of the effected eye. How do I get this administered? 2.During the operation they noticed a cataract in the effected eye, but decided against operating.My concern is, is this also effecting my problem and I understand it could infect the other eye. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks lawrence
Hi I've just had Botox last Tuesday and I do regret it. My eye has turned outdated very badly it doesnt look good at all. Been back to hospital today they can't do anything I will have to wait until it sorts it's self out. I've been ill for a week to feeling sick, dizzy and had very bad headaches. I've totally upset myself and my family.
im 53 and have alazy eye, had 2 opps when i was younger, ive always been aware of my lazy eye and often dont make eye contact with people because if i do they look and turn other way as if im looking at some one else and not them, my eye is worse if im tired or drunk, how would i find out if botox would work?this really stresses me
Hi I'm 40. Last Tuesday I went for Botox surgery n today I've cried for the past few hrs. I did have an inward squint but now it's a long way out it's scary. I've been very ill to feeling dizzy, sick n had very bad headaches. I've not driven either which has been a nightmare getting to work. I've totally upset myself n family. I went back to the hospital today n they can't do anything for me it will sort itself out in time. Thats not what I wanted to hear. Pls think about it long n hard before going through with it. Julie
Hi there,i,am 22 and I have had 2 operations for a squint in my left eye when I was very young . The first op went wrong so they corrected it the second time. when I get tired my eye still tends tovdrift a bit and my eye lid gets lazy. But I happy that mu,parents had,mine sorted from the age of 4 as I look at pictures and notice such a difference . If your worried definately go get in checked thanls
Hi For years growing up from the age of 14 I noticed I was starting to get a squint. I was called names, chased home from school. I am almost 30 and still suffering, low confidence, self esteem, I cannot hold a conversation sometimes as I feel people are looking and talking about me. My parents didn't get me diagnosed by a doctor and I started making appointments when I grew up. Many ophthalmic surgeons have said I do not have a squint. So why do my pictures look as though I do? People still call me names??? I have been told that I have something called a pseudo squint where the folds on my eye lids fold over the corners slightly and I have too much of the white part of the eye showing which appears like I have a squint but I haven't. I have been to many Ophthalmic surgeons and they have all said that I do not have a squint, it just appears as though I do as I have 'almond shaped eyes'. I have been battling this for many years of my life and need to do something about it before my confidence is completely knocked. When I lift my upper eyelids from the corners slightly with my fingers the appearance of squint is totally gone. Is surgery in the UK something I could do? I have done a lot of research and have had no success. I have even been for consultation for upper blepharoplasy and had no luck. If you cannot help me please could you recommend anyone? PLEASE. Thank you.
HELLO! I have a problem with both my eyes, when i think i am looking at someones eyes they all say i am looking at their hair or above their heads. pleasr help! joanne
i had same problem for 60 years i was most embarassed when i would look at one person and another would answer......i had botox injection and never looked back
hi joanne ive a lazy eye and what a doctor calls a glide were my eye turns in . i would like to try botox could you please send me the address of the botox practice regards tony
hiya im 13 and i have a squint. it was present from birth and i had one operation at the age of 2 on my left eye and all was good so i got discharged at the age of 7. However in 2009 i had to go visit the orthoptist and my squint has come back but for some reason im looking with my bad eye and not my good. The orthoptist accused me of faking a squint.. I just wondered is it possible for the squint to change eyes??
Hi Abbie, I'm not a medical expert but have had 2 lots of squint surgery in the past - I don't think they're things you can fake, especially if the squint is in your bad eye. From what I understand, they happen because the muscles that keep the eyeball in the right place get weak from not being used (because of bad eyesight). Surgery moves the muscles to help your eye point in the right direction. I've had squints in both my eyes at different times and both eyes at the same time over the years so would say yes, it's possible for the squint to change eyes. Hope that helps!
Thank you. This really helped :)
I'm 37 and have a squint. I have had 2 operations one in my left and one in my right eye, But have noticed that my right is is drifting again.Would Botoxinjections in my eye stop my eye from drifting, and how would i be able to get this treatment? Amanda
would help my optition refered me
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