Can Lasik Reduce Squint?

No, LASIK surgery does not reduce or correct squint (strabismus). 

While LASIK is an effective procedure for correcting vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, it cannot address the underlying causes of a squint.

To better understand why LASIK is not a solution for squint, let’s explore the specifics of both LASIK as a vision correction procedure and squint as a medical condition.

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser eye surgery designed to reshape the cornea to improve how light is focused on the retina. This allows individuals to see clearly without heavy reliance on eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK primarily addresses issues related to refractive errors, which include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): Difficulty focusing on nearby objects.
• Astigmatism: Blurred vision resulting from an irregularly shaped cornea.

The key function of LASIK is to modify the shape of the cornea, not correct alignment or muscle function within the eyes.

What is Squint?

A squint, medically referred to as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes do not align properly. One eye may deviate inward, outward, upward, or downward, while the other remains aligned. Strabismus often develops during childhood, but it can also appear later in life due to trauma or medical conditions.

Squint is caused by issues related to the eye muscles, nerves, or the brain’s control over those muscles—not the cornea. Some common causes of squint include:

• Imbalance in the muscles that control eye movement.
• Nerve damage affecting the muscles.
• Uncorrected refractive errors like farsightedness.
• Medical conditions such as cerebral palsy or stroke.
• Genetics, which may predispose individuals to eye misalignment.

Given these underlying causes, treating a squint involves correcting the muscular or neurological issues associated with eye alignment—not refractive errors.

Why Can’t LASIK Correct Squint?

LASIK surgery is specifically designed to only address problems with vision clarity caused by corneal irregularities. Since squint is related to muscle function and neural control, LASIK cannot fix the misalignment of the eyes. Here’s why LASIK and squint are unrelated:

1. Focus vs. Alignment: LASIK focuses on reshaping the cornea to improve focus on the retina. Squint, on the other hand, stems from misaligned muscles or impaired neurological control of eye movement.
2. No Impact on Muscles or Nerves: LASIK works exclusively on the surface of the cornea and does not impact the extraocular muscles or the nerves responsible for eye alignment.
3. Different Treatment Approaches: Squint correction often requires different therapeutic, surgical, or corrective eyeglass interventions targeting the root cause, such as prism glasses, eye muscle surgery, vision therapy, or Botox injections for temporary alignment.

Simply put, LASIK aims to improve how well you see, but it does not address how well the eyes work together. For that, separate treatments are required.

Treatment Options for Squint

If you or a loved one is dealing with a squint, it’s important to consult an eye care professional who can recommend appropriate treatments tailored to the underlying causes. Common treatment options include:

1. Prescription Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses

For some cases, particularly in children, wearing the correct prescription can help align the eyes, especially when squint is linked to refractive errors such as farsightedness.

2. Vision Therapy

Vision therapy involves specific exercises designed to strengthen the eye muscles and improve their coordination over time. These exercises are ideal for addressing certain types of squints, like convergence insufficiency (difficulty focusing on nearby objects).

3. Prism Glasses

Prism lenses can help manage double vision associated with certain forms of squint. These lenses change the direction of the light entering the eye, helping to reduce strain and correct perception.

4. Botox or Injectable Muscle Relaxants

Temporary misalignments in the eye muscles can sometimes be addressed with Botox injections. This treatment temporarily weakens specific eye muscles, allowing the eyes to align better.

5. Squint Surgery

When non-surgical solutions are insufficient, an ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to correct the alignment of the eyes. Squint surgery focuses on adjusting the tension or position of one or more of the extraocular muscles. This aligns the eyes to work more effectively together.

6. Patching or Occlusion Therapy

This is commonly used in children with a “lazy eye” (amblyopia) associated with squint. By covering the stronger eye with a patch, the weaker eye is encouraged to work harder, which can improve alignment and visual cooperation over time.

What Can LASIK Do Alongside Squint Treatments?

Though LASIK is not useful in treating or correcting squint directly, it can still be a complementary solution to improve vision clarity once squint-related issues are addressed. For example:

• If an individual with squint also has significant refractive errors, LASIK may help reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses after squint surgery.
• Improved vision from LASIK can support overall visual performance, making vision therapy and other treatments more effective.

That said, ophthalmologists often recommend waiting until after squint-related issues are managed before considering LASIK surgery.

When to See a Specialist?

If you’re living with a squint and wondering about correction options, or if you’re considering LASIK and want to ensure it’s appropriate for your vision needs, here’s when to seek professional advice:

• Persistent Eye Misalignment: If eye misalignment remains present beyond childhood or develops later in life.
• Double Vision: Experiencing persistent double vision could be linked to muscular or nerve issues requiring specialist input.
• Desire for Visual Improvement: If you’d like to explore clearer vision alongside squint treatment.

Your eye care professional will provide personalised recommendations based on a comprehensive examination.

Key Takeaways

• LASIK does not reduce or correct squint. It is only designed to correct refractive errors in the cornea, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
• Squint is caused by issues related to the muscles, nerves, or brain’s control of the eyes. Treatment requires targeted approaches, such as muscle surgery, vision therapy, or corrective lenses.
• For those who wish to improve vision clarity alongside squint correction, LASIK may be considered after addressing the underlying alignment issues.

Understanding the difference between LASIK and squint treatments empowers you to make informed decisions about eye care. If squint is your concern, consult an eye specialist to explore effective treatment solutions designed to enhance both eye alignment and overall quality of life. Always prioritise comprehensive care and customised advice tailored to your specific needs.