--- title: "Squint (strabismus): Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to a squint (strabismus) in children and adults — why the eyes turn, and the treatments that help, reviewed by a consultant eye…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/squint/ robots: noindex --- # Squint (strabismus): Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to a squint (strabismus) in children and adults — why the eyes turn, and the treatments that help, reviewed by a consultant eye surgeon. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin MBChB, FRCOphth](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/mohamed-mohyudin/) · GMC 7039600 Reviewed 10 June 2026 ## Quick answer What is squint? A squint (strabismus) is when the eyes point in different directions — one eye may turn in, out, up or down while the other looks ahead. It is common in young children and can also start in adulthood. Treatments include glasses, eye exercises, patching and, in some cases, surgery to straighten the eyes. Getting a child's squint checked early is important to protect their sight. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Squint (strabismus), including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 5 sections ## Key facts about squint - A squint is when the eyes do not point in the same direction. - It is common in young children and can affect adults too. - In children, an untreated squint can lead to a lazy eye. - Treatments include glasses, patching and squint surgery. ## What is a squint? A squint, or strabismus, is when the two eyes are not aligned and point in different directions. One eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards while the other looks straight ahead. It may be there all the time or come and go, for example when a child is tired. ## Squints in children Squints are common in young children. Because a child’s vision is still developing, a squint can cause the brain to ignore the picture from the turning eye, leading to a [lazy eye (amblyopia)](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/lazy-eye/). This is why early assessment matters — treatment works best while vision is still developing. ## Squints in adults A squint can also begin in adult life. This sometimes causes double vision and can be a sign of an underlying problem with the eye muscles or nerves, so a new squint in an adult should always be checked. ## Treatments Treatment depends on the cause and the person. Options include: - glasses to correct long-sightedness, which can resolve some squints - patching or eye drops to strengthen a lazy eye - eye exercises for certain types of squint - [squint (strabismus) surgery](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/squint-surgery/) to adjust the eye muscles when other treatments are not enough ## When to see a doctor Have any squint in a child assessed, especially if it is constant or still present after about three months of age. Seek **urgent** help for a sudden squint or sudden double vision in an adult. ## ! When to see a GP about squint Have any squint in a child checked, even if it seems to come and go. A constant squint, or any squint after about 3 months of age, should be assessed. In an adult, a **sudden** new squint or sudden double vision needs urgent assessment — call **111** or go to A&E — as it can occasionally signal a serious underlying problem. ## Common questions about squint Will my child grow out of a squint? Newborn babies sometimes have eyes that briefly drift in the first few weeks. A squint that is still present after about three months, or one that is constant, should always be checked rather than waited out. Can adults develop a squint? Yes. A squint can appear in adulthood, sometimes causing double vision. A new or sudden squint in an adult should be assessed promptly to find the cause. Does a squint always need surgery? No. Many squints are managed with glasses, eye exercises or patching. Surgery is considered when these are not enough, or to improve the alignment and appearance of the eyes. Is a squint just a cosmetic problem? Not only. In children a squint can affect how vision develops and lead to a lazy eye, so treatment protects sight as well as appearance. In adults it can cause troublesome double vision. ## Sources - [NHS — Squint (strabismus)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/squint/)