squint

Question 1

what is strabismus and how it is categorised

Answer 1

Squint (strabismus) is characterised by misalignment of the visual axes.

concomitant (common) vs paralytic (rare)

Question 2

why is it important to detect strabismus

Answer 2

uncorrected may lead to amblyopia (the brain fails to fully process inputs from one eye and over time favours the other eye).

Question 3

what is concomitant strabismus

Answer 3

Due to imbalance in extraocular muscles
Convergent is more common than divergent

Question 4

describe the pathophysiology of paralytic strabsmus

Answer 4

Due to paralysis of extraocular muscles

Question 5

how can strabismus be detected in patients

Answer 5

corneal reflection test
holding a light source 30cm from the child’s face to see if the light reflects symmetrically on the pupils

Question 6

how is the nature of strabismus identified

Answer 6

the cover test

ask the child to focus on an object
cover one eye
observe movement of uncovered eye
cover other eye and repeat test

Question 7

describe the management of strabismus

Answer 7

referral to secondary care
+ eye patches may help prevent amblyopia