Squint Can Affect Both Adults And Children

 

How squint affects children?

Squint in children usually means that both eyes can’t align, or turn in or out. Children with strabismus may also experience either constant or intermittent eye turn. Additionally, children also experience a lazy eye, more properly known as amblyopia. This term means that the vision in one eye is significantly poorer than the other.

How is squint treated?

Your ophthalmologist in Adelaide may recommend glasses for a child with a squint. Occlusion therapy, which requires an eye patch to be worn, may be required in addition to glasses. Eye surgery could be required in order to correct eye alignment.

What causes squint in adults?

Squint means eyes point in different directions, turn in or out, or are uncoordinated. Adults can suffer from squint (known as strabismus) for a number of reasons. It can be the return of a condition that was corrected in childhood. It can also occur as a result of stroke or injury, diabetes, or a tumor. Thyroid dysfunction can also cause squint in adults. Age can also be a cause, as the muscles controlling the eyes’ movements deteriorate.

What treatment is available?

Squint can impact both your appearance and the quality of your vision. The appearance of the eyes can make some people feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. In addition, it can lead to double vision and other sight problems. There are a number of possible solutions that your ophthalmologist in Adelaide may suggest. These include prescribing glasses with prisms, eye muscle exercises or eye surgery.

Reduce Children’s Screen Time to Improve Eye Care

The effects of COVID-19 in Australia have been far-reaching, and while children have been less susceptible to the disease, they have been impacted in different ways.

For instance, what effect have extended periods of digital learning had on children’s eye care and the long-term health of their vision?

What problems are caused by excessive screen time?

The problems that can result from children spending too much time viewing screens include eye strain, leading to sore eyes and an itchy or burning sensation. Eyes may also become overly dry, which means that there is not a clear and stable tear film on the eye’s surface.

Furthermore, children spending extended time indoors means that their eyes are not getting sufficient exposure to daylight, which can lead to nearsightedness.

How can parents successfully limit children’s screen time?

There are a number of strategies that parents can use to limit children’s screen time, especially during COVID-19 when they’re engaged in digital learning.

Screen time limits

You should set limits on how much time children spend on screens each day — and stick to them. Establishing specific times at which screens can be used is useful, as are the time management apps available for iOS and Android devices.

Get devices out of the bedroom

Don’t allow children to have a TV, phone or other devices in their bedroom at night. You might also consider ‘screen-free zones’ in the house, along with prohibiting screen use for 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. 

 

Talk to an Adelaide Eye Specialist to find out more

Dr. Swati Sinkar is a highly experienced Paediatric Ophthalmologist in Adelaide. Dr Swati consults at Eyemedics (Wayville), Kingswood Eye Centre, Salisbury Eye Clinic and Mount Gambier Eye Specialists.

In order to see Dr Sinkar you will first need a referral from your GP. Once you have this, you can then arrange an appointment directly with any of the clinics at which she consults (your GP or optometrist may do this on your behalf), or you can email to find out more