Anyone experienced sudden double vision and a squint in a child?

Lunchtimehelp · 2026-08-28T20:52:35+00:00

I have posted before but I am so worried! My child 6 years old has seem to have developed suddenly double vision. I took him to the opticians and they think he has a squint and has made an urgent referral to the hospital. Unsure what's causes it. The opticians thinks he may have had it for a while but I can't see any evidence why he thinks that. I have now since noticed his eye isn't quite right , I didn't notice this before. I am so scared, what if it's something bad? His vision is actually good, he can read. Failed the stereo test which apparently is common In people with squints. He had the photo of his eye that the opticians do, all looked good. We have been told to look out for seizures, muscle loss etc, if that happens then a&e. Urgent referral could take 1-2 weeks. Has anyone has experience with this? Thanks

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24Dogcuddler · 28/08/2026 22:06

I’d go to A & E or ring 111 for a walk in appointment. An “ urgent” referral could take ages. Don’t wait.

Original poster

Lunchtimehelp · 28/08/2026 22:10

24Dogcuddler · 28/08/2026 22:06

I’d go to A & E or ring 111 for a walk in appointment. An “ urgent” referral could take ages. Don’t wait.

We were up there Monday and they told us to go to the opticians!

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Namechange600 · 28/08/2026 22:18

i spotted my dds squint age 7 nearly 8. It turned out she thought double vision was normal :((( I now look back at photos and can see her eye turn from around age 4. So it hadn’t come on suddenly for us (which is obviously much more of an urgent situation) but sharing this in case you helpful x

After attending a hospital optometrist (where she was diagnosed as long sighted and strabismus and given glasses) which didn’t help much and seemed to cause a lazy eye (including a quite renowned place) I took her to a behavioural optometrist who was amazing. She had bifocals and lots of checks on the squint every 6 months and slowly her sight improved. They also offer vision therapy.

I remember reading that it really needs to be addressed before age 8 as can leave long term issues otherwise. She is now 15 and wears glasses and squint mostly gone and double vision gone too.

Kirstymon · 28/08/2026 22:39

Couldn't read and leave! Yes and all was fine. Can't remember the age exactly (DS now 17) but about that age he had some headaches and I noticed the worsening squint which had not been apparent before. (He thought double vision was normal too as PP said). Anyway, opthalmology sorted him out, tried various things and had surgery in the end. Now all good. Please don't worry and good luck with sorting it.

Original poster

Lunchtimehelp · 28/08/2026 22:50

Namechange600 · 28/08/2026 22:18

i spotted my dds squint age 7 nearly 8. It turned out she thought double vision was normal :((( I now look back at photos and can see her eye turn from around age 4. So it hadn’t come on suddenly for us (which is obviously much more of an urgent situation) but sharing this in case you helpful x

After attending a hospital optometrist (where she was diagnosed as long sighted and strabismus and given glasses) which didn’t help much and seemed to cause a lazy eye (including a quite renowned place) I took her to a behavioural optometrist who was amazing. She had bifocals and lots of checks on the squint every 6 months and slowly her sight improved. They also offer vision therapy.

I remember reading that it really needs to be addressed before age 8 as can leave long term issues otherwise. She is now 15 and wears glasses and squint mostly gone and double vision gone too.

Edited

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. That does help me.

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Original poster

Lunchtimehelp · 28/08/2026 22:51

Kirstymon · 28/08/2026 22:39

Couldn't read and leave! Yes and all was fine. Can't remember the age exactly (DS now 17) but about that age he had some headaches and I noticed the worsening squint which had not been apparent before. (He thought double vision was normal too as PP said). Anyway, opthalmology sorted him out, tried various things and had surgery in the end. Now all good. Please don't worry and good luck with sorting it.

Thank you as well for sharing your story too. Glad all has worked out well.

I feel bad as I keep asking him if it's worse , same or better than the day before. It's not been better. I'm just trying to assess him.

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Kirstymon · 28/08/2026 23:08

I wouldn't expect it to change without treatment IME. Best just monitor him as A&E suggested, no more questions needed - difficult I know!

Ladidahdi · 28/08/2026 23:12

Yep, one day DD had binocular eyes and the next day she had a very obvious squint, one eye was looking directly at her nose. We are years down the line in glasses, seen regularly, it’s not noticeable in her glasses and barely noticeable without unless she is tired.

Original poster

Lunchtimehelp · 28/08/2026 23:27

Ladidahdi · 28/08/2026 23:12

Yep, one day DD had binocular eyes and the next day she had a very obvious squint, one eye was looking directly at her nose. We are years down the line in glasses, seen regularly, it’s not noticeable in her glasses and barely noticeable without unless she is tired.

That's interesting, thank you.

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DancingCactusFlower · 28/08/2026 23:35

DD started complaining about headaches and double vision at about 10. She had a squint caused by lazy muscles in one eye. She was referred to an orthoptist and went for 18 months. She was given focusing exercises to do and a prism lens for her glasses. She’s now 19 and has no lasting squint or double vision.

Original poster

Lunchtimehelp · 28/08/2026 23:38

DancingCactusFlower · 28/08/2026 23:35

DD started complaining about headaches and double vision at about 10. She had a squint caused by lazy muscles in one eye. She was referred to an orthoptist and went for 18 months. She was given focusing exercises to do and a prism lens for her glasses. She’s now 19 and has no lasting squint or double vision.

That's very positive! Glad she is doing well now.

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