I think dd has a squint

[Hayls]

dd is 7 months and I've noticed that she seems to have a slight squint. It's not very noticeable and I'm sure her eyesight is excellent but is this anything to worry about? I heard that lots of young babies have it but should it have corrected itself by now? My mum said I had a slight one when I was young but I 'grew out of it' so could she be the same? My eyesight is terrible and I really hope her's isn't the same!

speak to the HV. dd2 has a slight squint, more noticable when she is tired. she has regular eye checks since she was 10months old.

See if you can get a referral to a specialist eye clinic for children. Your GP or local optician should be able to point you in the right direction. Dd has a squint (she is 2.5) and is currently undergoing patching therapy and wears glasses. We are in London and went to City University eye clinic, near Moorfields. The doctor there told me that she examines babies right from birth. While it is easier to diagnose an older child because they can tell you more, observations alone can be enough with a baby. Our doctor told me that anyone with a family history of eye problems should get their child tested from 3yrs old - younger if you notice something "wrong".

Hope this helps - do feel free to contact me direct should you want to.

Second MGR's view. DD also has a squint and we're hoping to avoid surgery. See your GP and ask for a referral, a high-street optician or GP cannot assess young children properly.

dd (2) has bilateral squints, I think we noticed them around 8 or 9 months. She had surgery earlier in the year, and they are improved. She is under regular review by an orthoptist, who is trained to check children's eyes for squints. There can be various reasons for squints, e.g. long-sightedness, weak muscles and often surgery is not needed. If a squint becomes permanent, it can affect the eyesight, so it's worth getting it checked out.

Hi Hayls,
I had a squint which was operated on when I was 6 and it is heriditary, so, DS was referred at his 7-9 month check and saw an Optoptrist when he was 8 months. She took a picture of his eyes (isn't techmology fantastic) and could tell from this that he is very long sighted. This can be the cause of a squint, although we have not noticed his eye turning in yet.

We have since been back for a check up and, as there was no improvement, have now been referred to an optometrist later this month. DS is only just 1yr.

I really would suggest speaking to your HV or doctor and getting referred ASAP as there is stuff they can do this early. If nothing else, at least it will put your mind at rest.

BR

Thanks, I'm truly astounded by my ignorance and stupidity in ignoring this for so long- I first noticed it a few weeks ago but assumed it was nothing serious and would correct itself but thanks to your advice and a google search I realise this is unlikely to happen. I've made an appointment with the gp tomorrow morning and will ask to be referred.
I'm panicking a bit now as web searches stress the importance and urgency of getting your baby seen asap- I honestly didn't know. Oh, the guilt...

Don't panic Hayls - many squints aren't picked up until teh child is about 3 or 4. They can't all be corrected by surgery though. My daughter is very long-sighted in one eye particularly and she will always have to wear glasses/contacts

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Hayls, please don't be hard on yourself, it is so unlikely that a few weeks is going to make any difference. I had to wait 7 weeks for my appointment once I'd contacted the clinic - if it was a matter of such great urgency then surely that wouldn't happen. I also didn't trust my own judgement at first, as dp insisted he couldn't see anything wrong.