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Eye Clinic » Squint Correction

Squint Correction Surgery

Squint correction surgery is an operation that involves moving the muscles in they eye that control movement to so that your eyes line up and look straight ahead. A squint (or strabismus) is where your eyes point in different directions from each other – this can mean one eye looks up or down, while your other eye looks directly ahead.

Also known as: Strabismus correction

from £1,875*

See pricing details

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

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.

Top Tips

  • Avoid Rubbing the Area: Keep your hands away from the biopsy site 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, including using antibiotic ointment as directed.
  • 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.
  • Be Aware of Common Conditions: During recovery, be aware of conditions like epidermal inclusion cysts and sebaceous cysts. These benign lesions can appear as elevated, smooth, and progressively growing, and accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management.

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