What is squint correction surgery?
Squint surgery is an operation to correct a squint (strabismus), where one eye looks up, down or to the side while the other looks straight ahead. A squint is more common in children but can occur at any age, and it is unlikely to go away without treatment. Surgery is usually considered when glasses, eye exercises or eye muscle injections, whose effects are temporary, haven’t been enough.
The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic, is often a day case and takes roughly an hour, using dissolvable stitches hidden behind the eye. Conveniently located in St John’s Wood (NW8), we offer this procedure to patients across London with a focus on safety and compassionate care.
Who is squint surgery suitable for?
- Children with a constant squint, or a squint that comes and goes after 3 months of age
- Adults with a squint that has been present since childhood
- A squint or double vision that develops later in life
- Patients whose squint hasn’t been fully corrected by glasses, eye exercises or injections
Your consultant will examine your eyes, or your child’s, and assess your individual case before recommending whether surgery is the right option.
Private Squint Surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, we provide private squint surgery, giving you quicker access to the treatment you need. Our ophthalmology consultants specialise in squint correction for both children and adults, working in our state-of-the-art facilities to ensure a streamlined and pleasant experience.
Why choose us for your squint correction surgery?
- Specialist Surgeons: Our consultants are experts in squint surgery for both adults and children.
- Faster Access to Treatment: Same-day appointments and diagnostic imaging minimise wait-list times.
- Comprehensive Care: From your first consultation through recovery, our nursing teams are here to help you.
- Easily Accessible Location: Based in NW8, we are easily reachable from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and surrounding areas.
Consultants who perform Squint Correction Surgery in London
How Much Does Private Squint Correction Surgery Cost?
from £1,975*
The cost of private squint correction surgery costs starts from £1,975* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Squint Correction Surgery
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
Private squint surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital starts from £1,975. The final cost will depend on your individual clinical needs and the complexity of the surgery.
A squint happens when the muscles that control the eyes don’t work together, so the eyes point in different directions. It often starts in childhood and can run in families, and in adults it can develop later in life or be linked to other health conditions. An eye examination is needed to find the cause.
You should seek medical advice for a squint if:
- your child always has a squint
- if your child is older than 3 months old and their squint comes and goes. If your baby is younger than 3 months old, squints are common and not usually a cause for concern
- if your child had other signs of sight problems, such as closing one eye to see things or turning their head one way to see
- if you’re an adult and have developed double vision or a squint
In children, an untreated squint can lead to a lazy eye (amblyopia), where the brain starts to ignore the image from the misaligned eye and vision does not develop properly. It can also affect depth perception and confidence, which is why early assessment matters.
See a doctor if your child has a constant squint, or a squint that comes and goes after 3 months of age, or if you have any concerns about their vision. Adults should seek advice if a squint or double vision develops later in life. A GP, health visitor or optician can refer you to a specialist.
No. Squint surgery is carried out in both children and adults. In adults it can improve the alignment of the eyes, and it may also help with double vision or confidence about appearance. Your consultant will explain what to expect for your age and type of squint
Your eye may be red, sore and watery for a few days or weeks. Use any eye drops exactly as prescribed, avoid rubbing your eye and follow your surgeon’s advice on swimming, make-up and returning to school or work. Attend your follow-up appointments so your surgeon can check the alignment and healing.
Not quite. A squint is a misalignment of the eyes, while a lazy eye (amblyopia) is reduced vision in one eye. They can occur together, and treating a squint, with surgery or other measures, is often part of managing a lazy eye. Your consultant will assess both.
Depending on the type of squint, alternatives include glasses, eye exercises and eye muscle injections, although the effects of injections are temporary. Surgery is usually considered when these aren’t enough, and your consultant will advise you.