Strabismus or squint is when the eyes deviate from perfect alignment. Normally, both eyes work together to look at the same object. The brain then fuses the two pictures into a single 3-dimensional image, giving us depth perception. With strabismus the eye deviated may be in any direction- inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia) or downward (hypotropia). Strabismus is present in approximately 2% of children.

When the eyes are misaligned, two different images are sent to the brain. In adults double vision is recognised, however in a child the brain learns to ignore or suppress the image from the misaligned eye. Depth perception is then compromised and unless treated in childhood years, amblyopia (decreased vision in one eye) may occur which can be permanent.

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