Squint Eye Treatments

1. Medical history and symptom history: The doctor will obtain the history of the patient with regard to his or her symptoms, environmental factors, related medications, or health conditions. The symptoms of the patient are also noted.
2. Visual acuity test: This test enables assessing the changes in the vision and clarity of sight at a short and long distances.
3. Corneal light reflex test: It is used to check the extent of refractive error and enables the doctor to choose the lens power required to compensate for changes.
4. Alignment and focus test: This test is performed to assess eye movement, focus, and unity of eyes.
5. Retinal exam: This test is performed to observe the physical structure of the eye to check for the presence of other eye diseases that may be causing the patient’s symptoms.
6. Cover/uncover test: This test is performed to measure the movement and deviation of the eyes.

Squint eye can be treated using the following treatment options:

1. Non-surgical treatment:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses: They can be used in mild cases of strabismus, in which the patients may have difficulty focusing on objects due to uncorrected refractive error. They can also help in treating long-sightedness that may be leading to a squint eye.
• Prism lenses: They are special types of lenses that aid in bending the light so that the light enters the eye at a correct angle to decrease the turning of the eye to look at objects.
• Orthoptics or eye exercises: The patient is guided on how to perform certain eye exercises that can be beneficial in the long run for treating squint eyes.
• Eye patch: An eye patch may be applied to the affected eye to help the squint eye work better.
• Eye drops: The doctor may prescribe certain eye drops to help in the treatment of a squint eye.
• Injections: Certain injections like the Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Type A injection, may help in weakening the eye muscles and then line them up better. The effects of these injections may however not be permanent.

2. Surgical treatment:

This is the last line of treatment for squint eyes. It helps in the realignment of eyes and restoration of binocular vision. It can be performed in the following way:

• The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, in which the patient is made unconscious during the procedure, or local anesthesia, which involves numbing the treatment area.
• A lid speculum is placed in the eye to keep it open. If both eyes need repairing of the eye muscles, a speculum will be placed in both eyes.
• The eye is rotated and an incision is made in the conjunctiva to locate the eye muscles that need repairing.
• Recession, resection, or plication techniques may be used to correct the eye abnormality.
• Recession technique involves the separation of the eye muscle from where it is attached to the eye and reattaching it to a different eye position.
• Resection technique involves cutting the small muscle fibers to make the eye muscle small or short. The muscle will then be stitched back into its place.
• Plication technique involves folding the eye muscle and stitching it to form a new size and shape.
• Adjustable sutures are then used to secure the eye muscles in their correct place.
• Before the surgeon repairs the conjunctiva, the surgeon will ensure that the alignment of both eyes is correct.
• The incision made in the conjunctiva is then closed using absorbable sutures.
• The procedure takes approximately one hour to complete.

If a squint eye is left untreated, it may lead to the following complications:

• Double vision
• Persistent blurred vision
• Lazy eye
• Eye strain and fatigue
• Frequent headaches
• Self-esteem problems
• Embarrassment
• The complications associated with squint eye surgery include:
• Eye infection
• Refraction changes 
• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
• Ischemia (reduced flow of blood) of the anterior segment of the eye
• Conjunctival scarring
• Excessive bleeding
• Eye perforation
• Perforation of the structures nearby to the eye
• Ptosis of the vertical rectus muscles (dysfunction of one or both the upper eyelid elevator muscles)

The following are the post-procedure steps following a squint eye surgery:

1. It is normal to have some pain and swelling in the eye after surgery. The doctor will prescribe medicines to ease this discomfort.
2. It is normal to notice pink or reddish tears in the eye after the surgery. This will usually take a few weeks to disappear.
3. The stitches may also lead to itchiness in the eye that may last for a few weeks until the stitches dissolve. Avoid rubbing or touching the eyes during this period.
4. Eye drops will be prescribed to the patient. They need to be used for two to four weeks after surgery to prevent eye infections.
5. You can resume work one week after surgery.
6. Avoid driving for one to two days after surgery.
7. Avoid soap or shampoo from entering your eyes during bathing.
8. Avoid contact sports and swimming for two to four weeks after surgery.
9. Avoid using makeup products or other chemical products that may cause irritation in the eyes.
10. Complete recovery following squint eye surgery may take about four to six months.

Home remedies:

The following tips can help in relieving the symptoms associated with a squint eye:

1. Wear contact lenses or eyeglasses
2. Allow the eyes to rest and avoid straining of eyes
3. Patch or cover the affected eye
4. Palming your closed eye just before sleeping or after long hours of work
5. Pencil push-ups (sit upright and move the pencil with a pointed end inwards and outwards for some time in front of the eye to drive away the rigidity in the eye muscle)

Cost of squint eye treatment in India- 

The cost of squint eye treatment using non-surgical methods is between INR 2,000 to INR 10,000.

The cost of squint eye surgery in Mumbai is between INR 40,000 to INR 1,20,000.
The cost of squint eye surgery in Delhi is between INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000.
The cost of squint eye surgery in Bangalore is between INR 30,000 to INR 1,10,000.
The cost of squint eye surgery in Chennai is between INR 25,000 to INR 1,00,000.