Pediatric ophthalmology and squint is a specialized branch of eye science that treats the health of children’s eyes. It addresses the unique requirements of vision care for infants, children, and teenagers, ensuring proper visual development and timely detection of eye problems.

Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage different eye diseases in young patients. These may range from usual refractive errors like near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism to more complex ones such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (squint), congenital cataracts or genetic eye diseases.

Squint or strabismus is a condition in which both eyes do not align properly. This means that one eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards while the other focuses correctly. The misalignment can result in difficulties with double vision and depth perception, thereby significantly influencing a child’s visual development. Early diagnosis and treatment of squint are important to prevent long-term vision problems.

The pediatric ophthalmology treatment options for squint include prescription glasses, eyepatches for weaker eyes, vision therapy exercises, medicines, and surgical intervention if necessary. The purpose here is to ensure that children achieve their best attainable eyesight while giving them overall support in terms of their growth and quality of life.

Moreover, pediatric ophthalmologists collaborate closely with other medical professionals and educators involved across the continuum of care, addressing visual disorders and learning, thereby providing holistic care for young patients.