Squint correction
Surgery to straighten eyes that look in different directions.
Squint surgery adjusts the eye muscles to bring them into line. This can improve eye coordination, reduce double vision and improve confidence and development.
Sometimes also called
- strabismus surgery
At a glance
-
Typical hospital stay
Day case -
Procedure duration
90 mins -
Type of anaesthetic
General -
Available to self-pay?
Yes -
Covered by health insurance?
Yes
Why Spire?
- Fast access to diagnostic tests and scans
- Expert, personalised treatments
- Internationally and nationally renowned consultants
- Clear, simple pricing and flexible payment options
View this treatment at your local spire Spire Hospital
- Local pricing
- Consultants near you
- Payment options
- Local pricing
- Consultants near you
- Payment options
There are a range of surgical and non-surgical options available.
Why you might need it
A squint is a misalignment of the eyes which occurs when both eyes are not directed at the same point. Surgery may be required to realign the eye muscles.
There are a range of surgical and non-surgical options available.
Find a Spire hospital offering this treatment
Who will do it?
Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.
All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals or clinics.
Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.
Before your treatment
You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
Preparing for your treatment
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.
The procedure
The main options for treating squints are:
- Treating visual loss if it has occurred
- Wearing glasses if required to correct any refractive error
Treating lazy eye
A squint is the main cause of a lazy eye and the younger the child is when diagnosed the more successful the treatment is likely to be. The treatment aims to restrict the use of the good eye to encourage the problem eye to work. If treated early enough the vision will usually improve, often back to a normal level.
The most common approach is to put a patch over the good eye for however long is recommended, depending on the severity of the condition. It can take weeks or months for the eye patch to be successful.
Occasionally, eye drops which blur the vision in the good eye are used or glasses that prevent the good eye from seeing clearly can be used instead of an eye patch.
Correcting refractive errors
If a child is long or short-sighted then glasses will be prescribed. This corrects vision in the eye and might also straighten the squinting eye, if the refractive error was the cause of the squint.
Why choose Spire?
We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.
Important to note
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.
What is squint eye surgery? Â
Squint surgery is a procedure to correct eye misalignment (a squint). A squint happens when the eyes point in different directions: one eye may look straight ahead while the other turns in, out, up or down.
Surgery involves tightening or loosening the eye muscles to improve alignment, helping the eyes work together to improve comfort and vision.Â
Signs of needing squint surgery
In children, a squint may cause lazy eye (amblyopia) or affect how well both eyes work together. Adults may notice double vision, eye strain or reduced depth perception.
At any age, a squint can affect confidence and quality of life.
Is squint surgery right for you?
Surgery may be suitable for adults and children, depending on the type and severity of the squint. Early treatment in children helps prevent long-term vision problems, while adults may opt for surgery if non-surgical options are insufficient or to improve vision and appearance.
Your consultant will review your eye health, overall wellbeing and treatment history, and discuss the benefits, risks and realistic outcomes before recommending surgery.
Alternative treatments to squint surgery
Many squints, especially in children, can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical treatments are usually recommended first. These treatments include:
- Glasses — lenses that correct long or short-sightedness can sometimes realign the eyes
- Eye exercises — certain types of squint, particularly those that appear when focusing close-up, may improve with exercises
- Patching — covering the stronger eye for a few hours a day encourages the weaker eye to work harder, helping improve a squint
If these approaches do not fully correct the squint, or if it is causing ongoing issues, surgery may then be recommended.
Find your nearest Spire hospital
Many of our hospitals offer private squint eye surgery, performed by experienced consultant ophthalmologists specialising in eye muscle and alignment conditions.
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How squint surgery works
Squint surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic. The eye is kept open using a specially designed instrument called a lid speculum and remains in its socket throughout.
Your surgeon will carefully move the muscle attached to the eye into a better position so that both eyes point in the same direction.
The repositioned eye muscle will be secured in place with dissolvable stitches. The stitches are located at the back of the eye and, therefore, are not visible after surgery.
What to expect during squint surgery
Before the procedure
Before surgery, avoid food and drink for about 6 hours.
When you arrive, the team will guide you through preparation, confirm your medical history, allergies, and medications, and answer your questions. You’ll meet the anaesthetist to review the anaesthetic plan, discuss any concerns, and give your informed consent to proceed.
For children, a parent or guardian can usually stay until the anaesthetic is administered, and a nurse will be at their side throughout the procedure.
Who will be involved?
Your surgery will be performed by an experienced eye surgeon (ophthalmologist), supported by theatre nurses and an anaesthetist. Your care team will be highly trained in paediatric and adult eye care and will ensure you or your child feel safe and well cared for throughout the procedure.
How long does squint surgery take?
The procedure takes around 90 minutes, though this can vary depending on its complexity and the number of eye muscles being adjusted.
Anaesthetic
Squint surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you or your child will be asleep for the entire operation. The anaesthetist will talk you through your options and what to expect.
Pain during and after squint surgery
During the operation, there is no pain, as the general anaesthetic keeps you completely unconscious. After surgery, mild discomfort, soreness, or a gritty sensation is normal. Your care team will provide guidance and medication to help manage your pain.
What to expect after squint surgery
Squint surgery is a day case procedure, so you can go home the same day.
After surgery, it’s normal for your eye to feel tender or look red and slightly swollen, and your vision may be blurry at first. Most discomfort eases within a few days, though mild redness or irritation can last several weeks.
Daily activities can usually be resumed once comfortable, and you can wear your glasses.
Your healthcare team will advise on managing discomfort, using prescribed eye drops, and attending follow-up appointments to ensure recovery is progressing smoothly.
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Your recovery after squint surgery
Squint surgery recovery times vary, but most people notice gradual improvement over several weeks.
Short term recovery (first 24 hours)
Immediately after surgery, your eye may feel tender and your vision may be slightly blurry. Rest your eyes as needed. You can read, watch TV, or do light daily activities if you feel comfortable.
Managing your recovery at home
Follow all eye-care instructions, including using prescribed drops and avoiding rubbing the eye. Continue wearing glasses if needed.
Wound care
As the surgery is done internally on the eye muscles, there are no external wounds. Avoid swimming or letting your child play in a sandbox for 4–6 weeks to reduce infection risk.
Pain relief
Mild discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Follow your care team’s guidance.
Smoking
Avoid smoking during recovery, as it may slow healing.
Driving
Avoid driving for a couple of days, or longer if you notice double vision.
Time off work or school
Children may need a few days off school or nursery. Most people can return to work or school after about a week.
What you should/shouldn’t do after surgery
Take care when washing to keep soap or shampoo out of the eye. Avoid wearing eye makeup for 4 weeks. Children should avoid sand play or face paint for the first 2 weeks. You can return to swimming after around 4 weeks and contact sports, such as rugby, after 6 weeks.
Treatment and recovery timeline
Everyone heals differently; however, here is what you can typically expect:
Days 1–2
Week 6
Days 1–2
Rest and keep activities light, wear your glasses as usual and avoid driving.
Days 2–7
Some redness or irritation. Manage any pain with over-the-counter painkillers.
Week 2
Return to work or school.
Week 4
Swimming and wearing make-up can be resumed.
Week 6
Resume contact sports.
-
Days 1–2
Rest and keep activities light, wear your glasses as usual and avoid driving.
-
Days 2–7
Some redness or irritation. Manage any pain with over-the-counter painkillers.
-
Week 2
Return to work or school.
-
Week 4
Swimming and wearing make-up can be resumed.
-
Week 6
Resume contact sports.
Risks and complications
Though rare, like any surgery, squint surgery carries some risks, including:
- Double vision
- Eye muscle slipping from its new position
- Prolonged redness (up to 3 months)
- Reaction to antibiotic drops or ointment, causing soreness or redness
- Rare serious complications, including permanent eye damage or excessive bleeding
- Under- or over-eye correctionÂ
As squint surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic, it also comes with the usual risks of general anaesthesia. This includes temporary side effects such as:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- VomitingÂ
In very rare cases, individuals may develop an allergic reaction to a general anaesthetic.
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.