Many parents come to me worried and ask, “Doctor, one of my child’s eyes doesn’t look straight. Why does it look different?” This concern is very common, and it is absolutely valid. When a parent notices that one eye is not aligned properly, it naturally creates fear and confusion.
In most cases, this condition is called squint (medically known as strabismus). It means that both eyes are not aligned in the same direction. One eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other eye looks straight. In some children, it is always visible, while in others it appears only when the child is tired, unwell, or trying hard to focus.
This can happen for many reasons. Some children are born with it, while others develop it due to eye power problems, weak eye muscles, poor coordination between the eyes and the brain, nerve-related issues, or genetic factors. Sometimes, the brain starts ignoring the image from one eye, and that eye slowly begins to drift, making the misalignment more noticeable.
Many parents are told that the eye will become straight as the child grows. Unfortunately, this is not always true. If squint is ignored, it can lead to lazy eye, poor vision development, loss of depth perception, learning difficulties, and in some cases permanent vision problems in the weaker eye. This is why early evaluation is so important.
The most important step is a proper eye examination at the right time. Early diagnosis makes a huge difference in outcome. Treatment depends on the cause and may include glasses, patching, vision therapy, or surgery. Not every child needs surgery, but every child with eye misalignment needs proper assessment and timely management.
My message to parents is simple and heartfelt: this is not just a cosmetic issue, it is a vision issue. Early treatment can protect your child’s eyesight for life and prevent long-term complications.
At EyeLens Hospital, children with eye alignment problems are examined gently and carefully so the right treatment can be started at the right time.
Dr. Sonal Hinge
Cataract & Refractive Eye Surgeon
EyeLens Hospital, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai
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