Squint Correction

A squint, medically known as strabismus, is an eye condition where the two eyes are not aligned properly. One eye may look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward, or downward. Though often associated with children, squint can affect adults as well, leading to symptoms like double vision, eye strain, and difficulties with depth perception. The good news is that effective squint correction in Dubai is available. Our ophthalmology department offers advanced strabismus treatment in Dubai for adults, helping to realign the eyes, improve vision, and boost confidence. We take an authoritative yet compassionate approach to care, ensuring you feel informed and comfortable every step of the way.

Diagnosis of Squint (Strabismus) in Adults

Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. When you visit our clinic for a squint evaluation, our specialists perform a thorough examination to understand the type and cause of your eye misalignment. The diagnostic process generally includes:

Comprehensive Eye Examination: An ophthalmologist will review your vision, eye movements, and medical history. They will observe how your eyes focus and track objects to identify any misalignment.
Alignment Tests: Simple, non-invasive tests like the cover-uncover test and the Hirschberg light reflex test are used to see how each eye moves and determine the angle of deviation. These tests help pinpoint which eye muscles are affected and the direction of the squint.
Vision and Double Vision Assessment: If you experience double vision (a common symptom of adult-onset strabismus), we assess its pattern and severity. Prism lenses might be used during the exam to measure how much correction is needed to align your vision.
Underlying Cause Evaluation: It’s important to identify why the squint is occurring. In adults, a squint can be a carryover from childhood or result from new issues like nerve palsy, thyroid eye disease, diabetes, or even trauma. Our team may recommend additional tests such as blood work or imaging (MRI/CT scans) if a neurological cause or other health condition is suspected. Determining the underlying cause is key to tailoring the right treatment plan.

By conducting these detailed diagnostic steps, our squint correction doctors in Dubai can formulate a personalized treatment strategy. We ensure you understand your diagnosis and are given clear information about the condition and its implications before moving on to treatment options.

Treatment Options for Squint (Strabismus)

Treating a squint in adults often requires a multifaceted approach. At our Dubai clinic, we offer both non-surgical and surgical interventions, along with guidance on lifestyle adjustments, to achieve the best possible eye alignment and visual function. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the misalignment, the cause of the squint, and your overall health. Key treatment options include:

Prescription Glasses or Prisms: Special glasses can help with refractive errors or double vision. Prism lenses in glasses can merge double images by bending light.
Eye Exercises (Orthoptic Therapy): Eye muscle exercises can strengthen muscles and improve coordination, especially for mild cases or convergence insufficiency.
Medications and Botox Injections: Botox can temporarily weaken overactive muscles and help realign the eyes. It can be used as a diagnostic tool or less invasive treatment. Medications may also be necessary for underlying conditions like thyroid eye disease.
Surgical Correction (Strabismus Surgery): Strabismus surgery adjusts eye muscle positioning. It’s done under anesthesia, involves tightening or loosening eye muscles, and uses advanced techniques like adjustable sutures. Surgery takes less than an hour per muscle and allows same-day discharge.
Combination Therapy: Often, a combination of treatments is used, like wearing prism glasses before surgery, proceeding with surgery, and doing exercises post-surgery. Our specialists tailor the approach to your needs.

What to Expect from Treatment: Non-surgical treatments like glasses or exercises may take weeks to show improvement, requiring follow-up appointments. Surgery recovery is quick, with most patients resuming activities within a week or two. Post-operative care includes using eye drops, avoiding eye rubbing, and pausing activities like swimming.

Strabismus treatment improves alignment for most adults, enhancing depth perception and relieving double vision. It can also boost appearance and self-confidence. Some severe cases might need a second procedure or continued use of prisms. Our team will discuss these possibilities and ensure you have realistic expectations.

Prevention & Ongoing Management

While not all cases of adult squint can be prevented—especially those due to genetic factors or sudden medical events—there are steps you can take to manage your eye health and prevent complications if you have a squint or are at risk. Here are some tips for prevention and ongoing management:

Regular Eye Examinations: Make it a habit to have routine eye check-ups, even if your vision seems fine. Regular exams can catch subtle changes in eye alignment or vision early. Early detection of a developing squint or any vision problem means earlier intervention and better outcomes.
Manage Underlying Health Conditions: Certain health issues can lead to or worsen strabismus. For example, conditions like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, or neurological issues (such as after a stroke) can affect eye muscle control. Keeping these conditions well-managed with the help of your general physician not only benefits your overall health but can also prevent related eye problems.
Reduce Eye Strain: Modern lifestyles often involve long hours on computers or smartphones, which can cause eye fatigue. While eye strain doesn’t directly cause a squint, it can exacerbate an intermittent eye misalignment. Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) to give your eyes periodic rest. Ensure good lighting when reading or working, and consider using lubricating eye drops if you experience dryness, as dry eyes can add to discomfort.
Adhere to Treatment Plans: If you have been prescribed prism glasses, vision therapy exercises, or any other treatment for your squint, consistency is key. Wear your glasses as advised and perform any home exercises or eye patching routines if recommended by your doctor. These measures help maintain improvements in alignment and prevent your condition from worsening.
Protect Your Eyes from Injury: Trauma is a possible cause of sudden squint in adults (for instance, a blow to the orbit can damage eye muscles or nerves). To prevent injury-related strabismus, use protective eyewear during risky activities. Whether you’re playing sports, doing DIY projects, or working in an environment with flying debris, safety glasses can shield your eyes and preserve your alignment and vision.
Follow Up After Treatment: If you’ve undergone squint surgery or any corrective procedure, attend all your follow-up appointments. Our team will monitor your healing and make sure your eyes remain properly aligned. In some cases, minor residual squint can be corrected with adjustments, additional prisms, or a touch-up procedure, and follow-up visits are the time to address these issues. Ongoing management might also include periodic check-ups to ensure your eyes stay aligned over the years.

By taking these preventive and management steps, you support the long-term success of your treatment and overall eye health. Our clinic will provide you with detailed guidance tailored to your specific case, but these general practices benefit anyone aiming to keep their vision clear and eyes straight.

Why Choose HealthHub Clinics for Squint Correction?

Extensive Experience
Advanced Facilities
Affordable premium services
Trusted Al-Futtaim brand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a squint in adults be corrected with lifestyle changes or exercises alone?

Mild squints or certain focus-related eye misalignments might improve with non-surgical measures like glasses or eye exercises. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – such as reducing eye strain, ensuring good lighting, and doing any doctor-recommended eye exercises – can help manage symptoms. However, significant squints usually require medical or surgical intervention to be properly corrected. Lifestyle changes support your overall eye health but typically cannot fully straighten a moderate to severe squint on their own.

What are the risks of squint correction surgery for adults?

A: Squint surgery is generally safe, but risks include under or overcorrection, temporary double vision, infection, bleeding, scarring, and rare anesthesia-related issues. Our team minimizes risks and provides careful post-operative care.

How long does it take to recover from squint treatment?

Recovery time depends on the type of treatment. For non-surgical treatments like new glasses or exercises, there isn’t a “recovery” period, but rather an adaptation period – you may need a few days to get used to new prism lenses or a few weeks to notice improvements from exercises. If you undergo squint surgery, the initial healing is quick: the surgery is often day-care, meaning you go home the same day. Expect a few days of mild discomfort – your eye may feel a bit sore or look red for a week or two. Most adults can return to work and normal daily activities within a week after surgery, though you should avoid strenuous activities for about 1-2 weeks. The eye alignment stabilizes over the course of a few weeks to a couple of months. We will schedule follow-up visits during this period to track your healing. Overall, squint surgery does not require a long downtime, and you’ll be guided on how to care for your eyes immediately post-op for a smooth recovery.

Is squint in adults curable? Can it be completely fixed?

Yes, adult squint can often be corrected. The goal is to straighten the eyes and solve vision problems like double vision. With glasses, surgery, or both, many adults see significant improvement. Individual cases vary, and some complex cases might need more than one procedure. Managing underlying conditions is key to preventing the squint from worsening. Our ophthalmologists will provide a realistic outlook for your situation. Most patients experience life-changing results, regaining comfortable binocular vision and confidence in their appearance.