Keep an eye out for squints

POOR performance in sports has been blamed on poor body coordination. But an eye expert has pointed out that it may have more to do with the eyes.

Orbis ophthalmologist Flora Lau Hoi-shan (奧比斯義務眼科醫生劉凱珊) said some parents put their child’s failure to perform down to bad coordination or clumsiness. 

But it may be because of squints, an abnormal alignment of the eyes, she said. 

“One out of 100 students suffers from intermittent exotropia – the outward deviation of an eye which is the most common eye disorder in children,” Lau said.

Some parents may not notice the problem as a child will only appear to look as if he or she has the squints when in a relaxed environment, such as watching television. Some people only find out about the problem when they are adults and their situation worsens.

Those with the disorder should undergo eye surgery when they reach the age of six. 

Otherwise there may be a permanent adverse impact on vision. Squints may also be a symptom of an eye tumour, and a delay in diagnosis may even require an operation to remove an eyeball. 

She also reminds parents that infants may have a pseudo squint as their features are not distinguished yet, and this may give a false impression of squints.

(This article is published on Junior Standard on 19 May 2016)

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