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Original poster

Possible squint?

9 replies

MariaDingbat · 17/08/2023 19:58

I think my 8 month old might have a squint. I'm not sure what I'm looking for to be honest, any ideas? She's seen a Dr and a health visitor in the last month and neither said anything but I didn't notice it then to bring it up.

Possible squint?
OP posts:
Batbatbatty · 17/08/2023 20:08

You're looking for the reflections of the light in the pupils to be symmetrical, i.e. same position in both pupils. Google the Hirschberg Test
I wouldn't worry about your DC!

SpringTime2023 · 17/08/2023 20:15

Aw she has beautiful eyes!

dementedpixie · 17/08/2023 20:20

Might be a squint or might be a pseudo squint Maybe speak to your hv again

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WhiteHorse92 · 17/08/2023 20:35

Based on your photo, is it the left eye drifting inwards slightly that you're worried about? My son has this in his right eye, noticed it about the same age, ignored it for a while wondering if I was imagining it but as the months went by it got worse and he was doing it a lot more often and was pretty noticible. Took him to the GP when he was about 16 months old, he didn't even look at him he just said straight away that he'll do an opthalmology referral if I've noticed something not quite right, which was great. There was a really long wait to be seen though, waited several months for a telephone appointment with the doctor then another few months for an appointment and at just under 2 years old he couldn't tolerate the eye tests anyway so had to wait another few months. He's just had the tests done in July (so one year since original referral), and the doctor agreed he definitely does have something wrong with the muscles in his right eye (can't remember exactly what she said but she didn't actually mention squint). She gave him Eye drops and he was seen by an optician straight after and turns out he's quite longsighted in both eyes and now wears glasses. They're hoping the glasses will strengthen the muscles in his right eye and fix the problem but if not he might need surgery.

Not trying to scare you, but the opthalmology referrals take ageeessss (it's a paediatric community team where I live) so if you're noticing it enough that you think something isn't quite right with her eye, probably wouldn't hurt to get it checked out, although because of the tests they have to do they might not be able to do much until she's a bit older anyway.

dementedpixie · 17/08/2023 20:39

My dd also had a squint but wasn't really picked up until she was 18 months old. She was referred by the hv to the orthoptist at the hospital and got glasses for long sight. She still needs glasses at age 19.

She had patching treatment for quite a while and also an op on the squinting eye as she still squinted with her glasses on.

COYU · 17/08/2023 20:50

Hi OP
Orthoptist here
I think this is more likely to be a pseudo squint due to epicanthic folds ( folds of skin on inner corner of eyes which can make it look like an eye is turning in) so the left eye in your picture looks like it’s going in the corner more than it should as the fold of skin is hiding more of the white on the inner corner.
But, I would always recommend that you ask your health visitor to refer your little one to see your local Orthoptist for a check. Most areas have easy access Orthoptist screening clinics with short waiting times. The Orthoptist will do lots of tests ( nothing scary, it will seem like games to your little one ) and then you will know for sure. She looks very cute in your photo!

lorisparkle · 17/08/2023 20:59

I have a squint (not picked up until I was about 10) and ds1 eyes looked similar to your DDs. With my history I was particularly concerned and he was referred to the hospital. They checked his eyes and there was nothing to worry about. However they did say they were always happy to check so I would always have it checked.

Original poster
MariaDingbat · 18/08/2023 20:48

Wow! Thank you everyone for all your kind replies, I didn't expect them to be so helpful and thorough. It's really reassuring that it might be a pseudo squint but I'll still take her to my HV and get it checked out just to make sure. And thanks for the advice about the reflections, I've checked all the photos I have and the light reflections are all matching thankfully.

OP posts:
Starlightstarbright2 · 18/08/2023 20:55

My Hv thought my Ds had a squint I have a squint so can be a genetic link…. She referred him to hospital . He was seen discharged the same day . Best get it checked

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