Can a squint be operated on permanently as it didn’t ask and we were only offered a temporary Botox injection which wears off?

[LooseleafTea]

When DD was younger she had several appointments with eye specialists regarding her squint in one eye and the doctors offered to give her an injection in a muscle I think to help it but said it would wear off after a few years.
We said it wasn’t necessary as didn’t like the idea of it if they were only recommending it for aesthetic reasons and she wasn’t self conscious or receiving any comments about it at school.

However she’s now a teen and it is quite noticeable and I wish I’d asked if the temporary fix really was the only option as I’ve heard it’s possible to do an operation to help it permanently? We were never offered this and I don’t know if it was possible for DD

If it’s true we could fix it I wish we had and it’s now a tricky one as she’s at a more sensitive age if I raise or discuss it . So I would love to hear any experience or advice if anyone has any

Many thanks

My dd has had squint surgery on the past. Maybe speak to an optician to get an expert opinion

Yes I could ask at her next eye test. I’m just conscious of making her aware of it as unless it’s possible to change it permanently I’d rather not disturb her while it’s not an issue to her. But maybe I could mention this ahead of the appointment

I’ve had adult squint surgery twice. It does revert after a while but you can get a good few years out of it. The benefit was less aesthetic for me than relief for my eye muscles which were straining alot before the surgery.

My squint was very large though. For less significant squints they manage you with prisms. Your optician can refer her to the optometrists at the hospital for an assessment

My son has squint surgery at 3 is now 18 hasnt worn off yet but eye gets scratchy and uncomfortable in that area when tired or stresses. May need it done again in the future.

Thank you for this , it really helps. And wow 3-18 is well worth the operation so maybe we made a mistake .

Yes you can definitely have surgery to correct a squint my grandad had the op in the mid 1930s on joining the Army at 19!!
It definitely worked as he never had a squint since.
If they could do it 80 years ago then I'm sure it's possible now hopefully will be on the nhs too. I expect techniques have modernised though!!
Hope your daughter gets the result she wants x

I had surgery to correct a squint when I was about 5. It is still barely noticeable 40 years later so well worth getting done if its an option.

I had an op for my squint when I was 3, I am now 46 and is not noticeable, I can feel it when I am tired or drunk! I was ridiculously pleased at my recent optician appointment when I was told that I had amazing control over my squint!

I’m just surprised they said it would wear off after a few years as we’d have gone ahead if we’d realised and would have been easier to sort as now mentioning it could make her self conscious . Thank you all as I think it will be worth doing

Do ask at the next opticians appointment. It does depend on the type of squint as to if surgery is indicated and if it's suitable (it's not for some types of eye muscle problems.)