Comprehensive pediatric eye care, and squint surgery at any age.
This guide explains eye assessment for children and people with an eye alignment concern.
Vision and Alignment, Assessed Together
A paediatric eye assessment looks carefully at how each eye sees, and can also examine focus and how the eyes align. Each element is considered together to build a clear, complete picture of a child's vision.
Squint can affect children and adults alike, and its cause is seldom the same from one person to the next. For this reason, both the underlying cause and the treatment plan are considered individually.
What Your Assessment Can Clarify
- Understand What the Family Has NoticedPhotographs and observations from school can add valuable context to the examination, helping us understand what has been noticed and when.
- Check the Vision in Each EyeEach eye is carefully assessed in turn, looking for any meaningful difference in vision between them.
- Assess How the Eyes AlignEye alignment is checked at the distances most relevant to the concern, so the examination reflects how the eyes behave in everyday viewing.
Methods Suited to Each Patient
Every examination is thoughtfully adapted to the patient's age and to the reason for the visit.
- Share the HistoryWe begin by understanding when the concern was first noticed and whether it is constant or comes and goes, so the examination is guided by the full picture from the outset.
- Measure VisionThe way vision is measured is carefully matched to the patient's age and ability to respond, so the results are as reliable as possible.
- Check Focus and AlignmentThe clinician assesses the prescription and examines how the eyes focus and work together as a pair.
- Explain the PlanThe resulting plan may involve careful observation or active treatment, and the timing of any follow-up is explained clearly and separately.
Suitability, Recovery & Your Care Journey
- When to Arrange an AssessmentAn assessment is wise whenever an eye turn is noticed, or when there appears to be a difference in vision between the two eyes. Adults who develop new double vision should seek prompt medical advice, as timely assessment matters.
- Follow-Up That Supports the PlanThe review schedule is tailored to the diagnosis and the treatment chosen. Children, in particular, may need repeat vision checks as they grow and their eyes continue to develop.
- Realistic Expectations, Openly DiscussedGlasses and non-surgical care may not fully correct alignment, and surgery too can sometimes leave a small residual deviation. As with any treatment, an open conversation about the risks that apply to your particular plan is an important part of your care, and the treating clinician will explain what to expect at every step.
Your Paediatric Eye Care & Squint Questions, Answered
Clear answers to the questions families ask most. Your examination determines what applies to you.
Can young children have an eye examination?
Yes. Even young children can be examined using age-appropriate methods that do not rely solely on reading letters, so a reliable assessment is possible well before a child can read.
Should I bring photographs?
Yes — photographs are especially helpful when an eye turn comes and goes, as they can capture what may not be visible on the day. It is also useful to bring any previous prescriptions or reports.
Does every squint need surgery?
No. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause and the findings of the examination, and many squints are carefully observed or managed without surgery at all.
Can adults be assessed for squint?
Yes. Assessment in adults considers both alignment and symptoms, and any previous surgery or childhood history can be relevant to the plan.