Treatment

Squint treatment

A squint, known medically as strabismus, describes the situation in which one eye points straight ahead while the other turns inwards or outwards, or looks up or down. The result of this is that the brain favours the straight eye over the other eye, and the eye that is misaligned often becomes ‘lazy’.

 

Contact us

Quick facts

Purple-bicycle

Easy access

Call us today to book an appointment

Target-icon

Fast refferal

Get seen and treated within 14 days

Eye centre purple icon

What is it for?

Treatment to straighten the eye

Treatment overview

A lazy eye develops because the nerve pathways in the optic nerve do not form properly.

The eye needs to be used for this to happen, and in a child with a squint, one eye is ignored, so those important nerve pathways never develop. Adults who retain a squint from their childhood, or who develop a squint later in life, may be treated by surgery to straighten the eye.

Surgery for a squint

Patching or using drops can help improve the function of the lazy eye but it rarely straightens of its own accord. Squint surgery repositions the muscles around the eyeball and is done to make the eye point in the same direction as its partner.

This is a minor operation but it is usually done under a general anaesthetic. Recovery time is fast, and usually requires only an overnight stay in hospital.

Squint surgery – what is involved?

The first step is a pre-operative assessment to measure the degree of the squint and to examine how well the eye muscles work. If the eye muscles on one side are paralysed or do not function well, this can affect the results of the squint surgery. The normal checks of blood pressure and suitability for anaesthetic are also done.

Adult squint surgery can be performed with a local anaesthetic, which makes it possible to check how well the eyes are aligned before the surgery ends. It is also possible to complete the operation under a general anaesthetic but to leave an adjustable stitch in place.

View body location
Mid head image

The procedure for squint surgery in detail

Squint surgery usually takes only 20 minutes and consists of the following stages:

The skin around the eye is opened up slightly so that the surgeon can gain access to the muscles that hold the front of the eyeball in place.

The muscles are then either tightened by removing a small section from the eyeball surface and then attaching it in a new position further forward, or loosened by reattaching the muscle further back.

Why choose The London Clinic

Excellence in one place

The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Surrounded by the latest treatments and advice, you’ll have everything you need to get back to your best health. Our patient rooms are designed for your comfort, while our catering team, in collaboration with expert dietitians, provide healthy, delicious meals to support your recovery.

Personal care, every time

Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our teams will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs and giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands. To provide exceptional care, we keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience. You’ll notice the difference.

Effortlessly simple

We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve

What's included in your package?

Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.

Your treatment package will include:

  • Enhanced pre-admission assessment
  • Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
  • Personalised aftercare and follow-up

We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.

How to pay

  • You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
  • You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
  • If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.
     
Share

Get in touch

Speak to someone today, we're ready for your enquiry. Book an appointment or ask for advice.