Squint Eye — Strabismus, Causes & Treatment


What is Squint?

A squint (strabismus) is a condition in which the two eyes do not properly align with each other.

Types

  • Esotropia → eye turns inward.

  • Exotropia → eye turns outward.

  • Hypertropia → eye turns upward.

  • Hypotropia → eye turns downward.

Causes

  • Refractive errors.

  • Abnormal eye muscles.

  • Neurological disorders.

  • Childhood developmental problems.

  • Trauma.

  • Certain systemic conditions.

Treatment

Depending on the cause:

  • Corrective spectacles.

  • Patching.

  • Vision therapy in selected cases.

  • Botulinum toxin in selected situations.

  • Eye-muscle surgery.

UPSC Science Link

Early detection in children is important because untreated misalignment may contribute to amblyopia.