HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SQUINT

Squint (also known as strabismus) is a condition that arises because of an incorrect balance of the muscles that move the eye, faulty nerve signals to the eye muscles and focusing faults (usually long sight). If these are out of balance, the eye may turn in (converge), turn out (diverge) or sometimes turn up or down, preventing the eyes from working properly together.

Squint can occur at any age. A baby can be born with a squint or develop one soon after birth. Around five to eight per cent of children are affected by a squint or a squint-related condition, which means one or two in every group of 30 children.

If a child appears to have a squint after they are six weeks old, it is important to get their eyes tested by an optometrist as soon as possible. Many children with squints have poor vision in the affected eye. If treatment is needed, the sooner it is started the better the results.

People often think that they can tell if a child has a squint if the eyes look unusual or the two eyes look different. This is not necessarily a squint. Symptoms of squint are often difficult to detect, especially in younger children. Older children may complain of eyesight problems such as double vision. If it is suspected that a child has a squint, your health visitor, child health clinic, GP or school doctor/nurse should be asked about a referral to an optometrist, ophthalmic medical practitioner or hospital eye clinic for assessment.

Causes-There are several types of squint. The causes of squint are not always known, but some children are more likely to develop it than others. Among the possible causes are:

Congenital squint

Sometimes a baby is born with a squint, although it may not be obvious for a few weeks. In about half of such cases, there is a family history of squint or the need for glasses. The eye muscles are usually at fault. If squint is suspected, it is important that the baby be referred for accurate assessment at the earliest opportunity. Sometimes a baby has what is known as ‘pseudo squint’ which is related to the shape of the face, but a baby with a true squint will not grow out of it.

Long sight (hypermetropia)

Long sightedness can sometimes lead to a squint developing as the eyes ‘over-focus’ in order to see clearly. In an attempt to avoid double vision, the brain may automatically respond by ‘switching off’ the image from one eye and turning the eye to avoid using it. If left untreated, a ‘lazy eye’ (amblyopia) may result. The most common age for this type of squint to start is between 10 months and two years, but it can occur up to the age of five years. It is usually first noticed when a baby is looking at a toy, or at a later age when a child is concentrating on close work, such as a jigsaw or reading.

Childhood illnesses

Squint may develop following an illness such as measles or chickenpox. This may mean that a tendency to squint has been present but, prior to the illness, the child was able to keep his or her eye straight.

Nerve damage

In some cases a difficult delivery of a baby or illness damaging a nerve can lead to a squint.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ALUMEN 30- Internal squint of the right eye

ALUMINA 30- Squint of either eye due to loss of power of internal rectus

BELLADONNA 30- Squint due to convulsions

CINA 30, SPIGELIA 30- Squint with worm symptoms

CICUTA VIROSA 30- Squint periodic , spasmodic after a fall or blow. Squint caused from convulsions

CYCLAMEN 30- Convergent squint

DIPHTHERINUM CM- Squint due to after effects of antitoxin drugs

GELSEMIUM 30- Internal squint of either eye

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER 30- Chronic squint

JABORANDI 30- Periodic convergent squint due to spasm of the internal recti

STRAMONIUM 30- Internal squint of either eye with protruding eyeballs