Family Natters

A squint is when the eyes don’t work together.  Often this is nothing to worry about in very small babies, but at about 6 weeks you would usually expect them to work together.  If one focusses correctly while the other slides inwards or outwards, you should point it out to your health visitor.  If she or he also agrees there may be a squint, your child will be referred to an orthoptist who may ask you to cover the stronger eye with a patch every day or other day for an hour or more so that the weak eye does not become lazy.  Surgery to correct a squint may be carried out once the child has enough language to participate in a sight check.