Squint (Strabismus) Surgery
Does your child’s eye turn inward, outward, upward, or downward? Or have you noticed that your eyes don’t move together in the same direction? You may be dealing with squint (strabismus) a misalignment of the eyes that affects both vision and appearance. Lions Medical Complex in Gulberg, Lahore offers expert squint correction surgery for children and adults, restoring both the alignment of the eyes and the confidence that comes with it.
What Is a Squint (Strabismus)?
A squint, medically known as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes are not aligned in the same direction simultaneously. While one eye looks straight ahead, the other may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia). Strabismus affects approximately 2–4% of children and can also develop in adults following a stroke, injury, or neurological condition.
In children, untreated squint can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) a condition where the brain starts ignoring signals from the misaligned eye, leading to permanent reduction in vision in that eye even if the eye itself is structurally normal. Early treatment is therefore essential.
> Causes of Squint:
• Refractive errors (especially long-sightedness in children)
• Muscle imbalance or weakness in the eye muscles
• Neurological problems affecting the eye muscle nerves
• Family history of squint
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Conditions like Down syndrome or cerebral palsy
• Trauma or injury to the eye or brain
• Cataracts or other conditions affecting vision in one eye
> Symptoms of Squint:
• Visibly misaligned eyes; one eye turns in a different direction
• Closing one eye or squinting in bright light
• Tilting the head to see better
• Poor depth perception
• Double vision (more common in adults)
• Eye strain and headaches
• Reduced vision in one eye (amblyopia)
Squint Treatment at Lions Medical Complex
Our expert surgeons offer a complete range of squint treatment options depending on the patient’s age, type of squint, and underlying cause:
1. Glasses (Spectacle Correction)
For squints caused by refractive errors (particularly long-sightedness in children), wearing the correct prescription glasses may fully or partially correct the misalignment.
2. Patching Therapy (for Amblyopia)
If amblyopia (lazy eye) is present, patching the stronger eye forces the brain to use the weaker eye, improving its vision. This must be done at a young age for maximum effectiveness.
3. Eye Exercises (Orthoptic Therapy)
Specific exercises can strengthen eye muscles and improve coordination in selected types of squint.
4. Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections
Botox can be injected into the overactive eye muscle to temporarily weaken it, allowing realignment. Useful for certain types of squint or as a temporary measure while awaiting surgery.
5. Squint Correction Surgery (Strabismus Surgery)
When non-surgical options are insufficient, or in cases of large-angle squint, surgery is recommended. The procedure involves adjusting the tension in one or more of the six muscles that control each eye’s movement.
How Squint Surgery Works:
• Performed under general anaesthesia for children, and usually local or sedation for adults
• A small incision is made in the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white of the eye) no visible external scar
• The targeted eye muscle is either weakened (recession) by moving its attachment point further back on the eye, or strengthened (resection) by removing a portion and reattaching it closer to the cornea
• The surgery typically takes 30–60 minutes
• Both eyes can often be operated on in a single session
After Squint Surgery – Recovery and Results
• Eyes will be red and watery for 2–4 weeks post-surgery this is normal
• Prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops should be used regularly
• Most children return to school within 1 week
• Some patients may need glasses after surgery
• In some cases, a second procedure is required to achieve full alignment
• The final result is evaluated after 6–8 weeks when the eye has fully healed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Squint Surgery Lahore
A: Early treatment is critical. In children, squint surgery is ideally performed as soon as the deviation is significant enough to cause or risk amblyopia this can be as early as 6–12 months of age in infantile squint. The earlier the treatment, the better the visual and alignment outcomes.
A: Surgery corrects the eye alignment but does not change the optical prescription. Children who need glasses before surgery will usually still need them afterwards.
A: Most patients achieve lasting correction with one surgery. However, some patients may require a second operation to achieve perfect alignment. Results are generally very satisfying.
A: Yes. Squint can develop in adults after a stroke, neurological disease, thyroid eye disease, or head injury. Adult squint surgery is equally effective.
Book Your Squint Consultation at Lions Medical Complex, Lahore
Don’t wait early treatment gives the best results. Contact our squint specialists in Gulberg, Lahore today.
Call us: 0333 3320256 | 
7-8/B Main Market, Gulberg II, Lahore | 
Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
