{
  "id": 2597525,
  "title": "All you need to know about: squint eye",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/all-you-need-to-know-about-squint-eye",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-22T15:28:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu Health",
    "slug": "the-hindu-health",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/all-you-need-to-know-about-squint-eye/article71344618.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Squint, medically known as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes do not align properly and point in different directions. One eye may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward, or downward while the other eye remains focused. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent. Approximately 1.81% of the global population, around 138.5 million individuals, suffer from horizontal strabismus, with exotropia affecting 1.14% (87.5 million) and esotropia 0.67% (60 million). The prevalence of exotropia has increased globally, while strabismus remains under-researched in some regions, notably parts of South Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers strabismus one of the conditions necessitating long-term monitoring and treatment. Signs include the eyes appearing to be in different directions, squinting in bright light, tilting or turning the head, and difficulty judging distances. Children often do not complain about poor vision. When one eye is misaligned, the brain may suppress the image to prevent double vision, potentially leading to amblyopia, or lazy eye, a condition that can develop during the critical period of vision development. Adults may experience double vision, blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, or difficulty with depth perception. New sudden squints in adults should be evaluated promptly as they could indicate underlying eye muscle, nerve, or brain conditions. Not all apparent squints are true strabismus; some may be pseudostrabismus due to eyelid or nose shape, which can be distinguished through an eye examination. The misalignment occurs when the eye movement control systems do not function properly. Causes can be genetic, refractive errors, neurological or developmental conditions, premature birth, low birth weight, diabetes, thyroid eye disease, stroke, neurological disorders, or trauma. The diagnosis involves examining eye alignment and movement, visual acuity, and response when one eye is covered. Treatment varies based on the type and cause, the age of the individual, frequency of eye turning, and any existing vision loss. Glasses can correct refractive errors contributing to misalignment, and amblyopia might need separate treatment. Specific eye exercises can help some cases, but surgery might be necessary when other treatments fail. Early treatment is crucial to prevent amblyopia and promote binocular vision.",
  "summary": "Squint, medically known as strabismus, is a condition in which the two eyes do not align properly. It can affect children and adults and, when it develops during childhood, can interfere with the normal development of vision",
  "key_points": [
    "Squint, or strabismus, misaligns eyes in different directions.",
    "Approximately 138.5 million people globally have horizontal strabismus.",
    "Early treatment prevents amblyopia and promotes binocular vision."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
        "title": "All you need to know about: squint eye",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/all-you-need-to-know-about-squint-eye-2597630",
        "published": "2026-08-22T15:28:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}