Squint Treatment for Adults & Children in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

A squint is diagnosed through a structured assessment rather than a single test, and it usually involves vision testing, refraction to determine whether glasses are needed, assessment of eye alignment, and tests to evaluate how the eyes move and work together. At Moorfields Eye Hospitals Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this may involve an optometrist, an orthoptist, and an ophthalmologist, with each assessment helping to build a clearer clinical picture before treatment is discussed.

In adults, strabismus can arise from trauma, neurological conditions or illnesses such as stroke or diabetes. It may cause double vision, headaches or eye strain that affects daily activities and quality of life. Treatment options include corrective lenses, vision therapy or surgery, depending on the underlying cause. Early diagnosis and treatment of adult squint can significantly improve vision and quality of life. At Moorfields Eye Hospitals Dubai and Abu Dhabi, our expert team uses advanced techniques to effectively diagnose and treat adult squint.

Squint can affect vision, eye movement and how both eyes work together, which is why a child may be assessed by more than one specialist, as each specialist adds information that helps guide the most appropriate care. An optometrist may check vision and the need for glasses; an orthoptist may assess eye alignment and binocular vision; and an ophthalmologist may review the results from the optometrist and orthoptist and conduct an overall eye health review to develop the treatment plan.

Some squints are constant, while others may appear only when a person is tired, unwell, focusing on near work, or looking in a certain direction. A squint may also change as a child grows or as an adult’s eye condition develops. If any signs of a squint are noticed, in yourself or your child, an assessment with a specialist is the most reliable way to identify it and to plan any treatment or follow-up that may be needed.

Squint is often thought of as a childhood condition, but it also affects adults, and it can be treated at any age, whether the squint has been present since childhood or developed later in life. The causes, aims, and treatment options differ between children and adults, which is why each is assessed differently. If you are an adult considering treatment, our adult squint specialists can assess your symptoms, explain the available options and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

A squint that was treated in childhood, or operated on years ago, can still be treated again in adulthood. Many adults seek care because the squint has returned or changed, because symptoms such as double vision have developed, or because they would like to know whether further improvement is possible. The plan depends on the current alignment of the eyes, how well each eye sees, the previous treatment history, and the symptoms now present. Our adult squint specialists can review all of this and explain what can realistically be achieved in your case.

Squint surgery is generally regarded as a reconstructive medical procedure rather than purely cosmetic surgery because it corrects a genuine misalignment of the eye muscles. It is commonly carried out to relieve double vision, eye strain, and abnormal head positions, and to restore the eyes’ ability to work together. Improving the appearance of a visible squint is a valid outcome as well, and for many patients, the functional and personal reasons overlap.

At Moorfields Eye Hospitals Dubai and Abu Dhabi, squint care is provided by ophthalmologists with subspecialist expertise in adult and paediatric strabismus, with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating all forms of squint across all age groups. Our hospitals are dual-accredited by JCI and ACHSI, and care follows the clinical protocols of Moorfields Eye Hospital London, to ensure the highest standards of patient care.
To view the full team, visit moorfields.ae/departments/ophthalmologists/.

Moorfields UAE works with a wide range of insurance providers across the UAE. Patients are advised to confirm their specific coverage with their insurer or with Moorfields directly, as coverage depends on the individual policy. The full list of accepted insurance providers is available at moorfields.ae/insurance-provider/