We all squint sometimes. Whether it's to shield our eyes from the sun, peer at something in the distance, or try to focus on small print, squinting is a natural reflex. But do you know that "squints" involves two different meanings referred to different eye actions?
Why do we Squint?
We squint, meaning we look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light, because of the following reasons:
- Light Sensitivity:
- Squinting is a natural reflex to reduce the amount of light entering the eyes.
- This is particularly common in bright sunlight or when exposed to glare.
- Focusing Problems:
- When we have difficulty focusing on objects, especially those at a distance, we may instinctively squint to narrow our field of vision and improve focus. This is often a sign of uncorrected refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Eye Strain:
- Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, causing eye fatigue, dryness, and difficulty focusing. Squinting may become a compensatory mechanism to reduce eye strain.
What about people that have squint?
When you listen about people that have squints, it means that people have eyes that look in different directions.
"Squints," commonly referred to as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes do not point in the same direction. Instead of both eyes looking directly at an object, one eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. This misalignment can occur constantly or intermittently, and it can affect children and adults alike.
The strabismus condition can manifest in various ways:
- Esotropia: Inward turning of the eye (crossed eyes).
- Exotropia: Outward turning of the eye (wall-eyed).
- Hypertropia: Upward turning of the eye.
- Hypotropia: Downward turning of the eye.
The severity and type of strabismus can vary significantly from person to person.
From now on, we will mention strabismus to referred to squints, meaning having eyes that look in different directions, in order to differentiate it from the term squint, meaning looking at something with eyes partly closed.
The Impact of Habitual Squinting vs the Impact of Strabismus
Squinting Impact
While occasional squinting is normal, frequent squinting can have some potential consequences:
- Eye Strain and Fatigue: Constant squinting can exacerbate eye strain, leading to headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating.
- Worsening Refractive Errors: In some cases, habitual squinting can worsen existing refractive errors or even contribute to the development of new ones.
- Cosmetic Concerns: Frequent squinting can lead to the development of wrinkles around the eyes.
Strabismus Impact
Strabismus on the other hand can have a higher impact on vision and daily life:
- Double Vision: Individuals with strabismus may experience double vision, making it difficult to read, drive, and perform other everyday tasks.
- Depth Perception Problems: Difficulty judging distances can impact activities such as pouring liquids, catching a ball, and navigating stairs.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): If left untreated, strabismus can lead to amblyopia, where the brain suppresses the image from the misaligned eye, resulting in reduced vision in that eye.
- Social and Emotional Impact: Strabismus can affect a child's self-esteem and social interactions.
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes of Squinting
In the case of squinting the cause is related to an underlaying vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Causes of Strabismus
The exact cause of strabismus is not always clear, but several factors may contribute to its development:
- Genetic Predisposition: A family history of strabismus can increase the risk.
- Neurological Conditions: Certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or brain tumors, can affect eye muscle control.
- Eye Muscle Weakness or Paralysis: Problems with the muscles that control eye movement can lead to misalignment.
- Refractive Errors: Uncorrected nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can sometimes contribute to the development of strabismus.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In case of squinting
If a person has developed squints as a habit, a comprehensive Eye Exam is needed as diagnosis. Consulting an eye doctor will rule out any underlying vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Consider Corrective Lenses as treatment: If necessary, get fitted for eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision and reduce the need to squint.
In case of strabismus
Strabismus doctors use various tests to diagnose strabismus, including the cover test, corneal light reflex test, and other eye movement tests as part of the diagnosis:
Treatment Options:
- Vision Therapy: A series of exercises to improve eye coordination and focusing skills.
- Eyeglasses: To correct refractive errors and improve visual alignment.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to realign the eyes.
- Patching: Covering the stronger eye to encourage the brain to use the weaker eye.
VR Vision Therapy is a new hope for Adult Strabismus
Strabismus surgery will primarily help with the alignment of your eyes, but if you suffer from binocular vision disorders (which is usually the case) you will then need to take binocular vision dysfunction treatments like the New promising visual therapies, e.g. the Equal-Eyes VR Vision Therapy for binocular vision dysfunction.
Living with Squints Vs Living with Strabismus
Living with Squints involves Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Protect Your Eyes from the Sun: Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a wide brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: Take frequent breaks from screens by following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Adjust Screen Brightness and Contrast: Reduce glare from computer screens by adjusting brightness and contrast settings.
Living with Strabismus involves:
- Coping Strategies:
- Discussing strategies for managing the challenges of living with strabismus, such as using assistive devices or adapting daily routines.
- Emphasize the importance of regular eye exams and ongoing monitoring.
- Support and Resources:
- Look for information about support groups and resources available for individuals with strabismus that can help maintain self-esteem.
When to Consult an Eye Doctor
In both cases, you need to consult an eye doctor if you experience:
- Frequent or persistent squinting
- Headaches or eye strain associated with squinting
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Double vision
- Any other visual disturbances