Contact number: 020 7806 4060
What is a Squint Correction Surgery?
A squint is where one of your eyes is looking in a different direction from the other one, either looking up, down or to the side, while your other eye looks directly ahead. This is more common in children, but a squint can occur at any time. A squint may come and go, or might happen all the time. If you or your child has a squint it is often recommended that you seek medical advice on how to treat you squint as it can cause further problems if not treated sooner rather than later. A squint is unlikely to go away if you don’t have treatment.
Your ophthalmology consultant may recommend trying non-surgical treatments for squint correction first, which could include:
- Eye exercises
- Glasses – especially if your squint is caused by eyesight issues
- Eye muscle injections – these injections could help weaken the eye muscles to help the eyes line up together. The effect of these eye injections are temporary.
Squint surgery is an operation that is done under general anaesthetic and is often done as a day case surgery (meaning you should be able to go home on the same day). It takes roughly an hour.
During the procedure, your eye is held open while the surgeon detaches the section of muscle connected to the eye and moves it so that both eyes point in the same direction. The surgeon will then use dissolvable stitches to fix the muscles in place. You will not be able to see these stitches as they are hidden behind your eye.
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.
When to get medical advice
Get advice if:
- your child has a squint all the time
- your child is older than 3 months and has a squint that comes and goes – in babies younger than this, squints that come and go are common and are not usually a cause for concern
- you have any concerns about your child’s vision – signs of a problem can include regularly turning their head to one side or keeping one eye closed when looking at things
- you develop a squint or double vision later in life
A GP, health visitor or local opticians service can refer you to an eye specialist for some simple tests and treatment if necessary.
How Much Does Private Squint Correction Surgery Cost?
from £1,875*
The cost of private squint correction surgery costs from £1,875* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
The price shown is a ‘from price’ that includes all hospital related costs associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. The price does not include the cost of consultation, diagnostics, or the surgeon or anaesthetist fee.
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), a well-connected area of North West London. We’re close to Hampstead (NW3) and Kilburn (NW6), making us accessible to patients across the region.
By Tube:
- St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
- Finchley Road (NW3) and Kilburn stations (NW6) on the Jubilee Line provide excellent connections.
By Bus:
- Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
- Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
- Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
Major Roads:
If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, main routes such as Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road offer a direct approach to the hospital.
Our location ensures convenient travel for patients from across London, particularly those in NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes.
Some people are born with squints and they can run in families, but other people develop a squint with no family history. It’s not always known why a a squint happens.
Children will often experience a squint because they are trying to overcome a problem with their eye sight which has not been treated, such as:
- astigmatism
- long-sightedness
- short-sightedness
There are rarer causes of a squint in children & adults such as infections, genetic conditions, cerebral palsy, brain or nerve problems or developmental delays in infants.
If a squint develops after age 3 months or is happening all the time, you shouldn’t ignore it.
If left untreated, a squint can lead to further problems such as
- A lazy eye
- persistent double vision or blurry vision
- ongoing negative body image
If a squint is corrected in childhood, it can be fixed as an adult but leaving a squint untreated can cause permanent vision issues
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
- Avoid Rubbing the Area: Keep your hands away the area to prevent irritation or infection.
- Use a Cold Compress: If there is swelling, a cold compress can help reduce discomfort.
- Follow Aftercare Instructions: Your doctor will provide specific aftercare guidelines,
- Attend Follow-Up Appointments: It’s important to return for any scheduled follow-up visits to discuss biopsy results and further treatment options, if necessary.