When an Eye Turns — Why it matters most in childhood

At Eyecare Center of Orange County, Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has cared for patients for more than three decades. Trained at Bascom Palmer, board certified, and trusted by more than ten thousand Orange County patients since nineteen ninety one.

In a squint, the two eyes are not pointing at the same thing. One may turn in, out, up or down, either constantly or only when the child is tired.

To avoid seeing double, a child's brain simply ignores the turning eye. That eye then fails to develop normal vision, and this is called a lazy eye.

There is a window. Treated young, vision in that eye usually recovers. Left until later childhood, the loss can become permanent.

A squint that appears suddenly is different. In an older child or an adult, new double vision is urgent and needs to be seen straight away.

If you have any doubt about a child's eyes, bring them in. We can test children long before they are old enough to read a letter chart.