SIGHT is one of the most important senses for a child. The ability to see allows the child to explore, connect and learn safely in different surroundings.
Eye conditions, if left untreated, will seriously affect a child's ability to see, which will interfere with their physical and mental development.
One of the common eye conditions is strabismus, or better-known as squint (more well-known in Malay as "mata juling").
Squint though more commonly found in children, can occur at any age from babies up to the elderly. It can be caused by various factors such as muscle weakness, medical conditions such as stroke or even external impact from accidents.
Squint is a condition where the alignment of the eyes is not straight. There are many types of squint ranging from esotropia (eye turned inwards), exotropia (eye turned outwards), vertical squints such as hypertropia (eye turned upwards), hypotropia (eye turned downwards) and even rotational squints (eyes are rotated).
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) consultant ophthalmologist and paediatric ophthalmologist, Dr Fiona Chew Lee Min, says the most common cause of squint is the inability of the eye muscles to pull the eyeball equally, causing them to be too tight or too loose. This then leads to the eye being pulled in one direction or the other, thus creating a misalignment of the eyes.
Dr Chew adds that there are three ways to determine if a person has a squint.
"Firstly, we see if the eyes are straight. If they are not then the person has a squint. Secondly, we can look at the person's head to see if it is turned left or right naturally or abnormal while walking. Third, have a close look at the person's face. If one side is clearly more developed than the other, it is a sign of squint as well."
Previously squint was thought to be untreatable after childhood but scientific research and surgical advances have shown that the human brain is elastic and adaptable and even older children and adults all the way to the elderly with squint can be treated.
The most important thing is to seek treatment early the minute the squint is noticeable or disrupts normal visual function.
Dr Chew advises patients to address the issue as early as possible to get the best possible results.
Squint treatment actually changes a person's life. Children with squint have reduced or no three-dimensional vision. This means they are unable to judge distances. Also, their visual field is reduced, and they may have delayed developmental milestones. They are more likely to trip over things, face difficulty going downstairs, have problems crossing the road and also have problems studying due to reduced vision and poor concentration.
"Also, because their outward appearance is abnormal, these children may also develop depression, reduced self-esteem as well as become anti-social. Later in life, this will also affect their career prospects."
If treated properly, a patient with squint will have improved three-dimensional vision, enhanced concentration and better vision. Career prospects will also improve as they look like normal individuals.
The parents of one of Dr Chew's patients, 9-year-old Mia Syuhada Sabdani can attest to the life-changing effects of squint surgery.
In December 2020, SMCV ran a CSR project titled "A Little Wish,
For Your Little One" to fulfil a child's surgical needs.
Ramadiah Abd Rahman, Mia's mother, took the opportunity to seek help for her daughter, who had been experiencing exotropia squint for several years.
"We noticed the squint in Mia when she was about 6-years-old and began going to school. Unfortunately, she was teased in school and found it difficult to concentrate and thus could not pick up on her lessons. We realised we needed to correct the issue," says Ramadiah.
After surgery, there was a marked improvement in Mia. Her eyesight improved – she is now able to focus on learning, reading and writing, and she is no longer teased by her schoolmates which in return has improved her self-esteem.
Surgery is only one of the many treatments that patients with squint can undertake to correct their condition.
Dr Chew says there are various lifestyle modifications that can be carried out as well.
"Reducing time spent on electronic gadgets, spending more time outdoors, wearing special spectacles or carrying out special exercises regularly can also help improve squint control."