SQUINT IN EYE

[geek84]

Hi Folks

I have a squint in my eye from birth.

I have terrible problems when I need to look at people whilst talking them or when I go for job interviews and the usual advice is to look the interviewer in the eye when talking.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

If so, how did you overcome this?

Thank You

[dontlookdown]

I had squints in both eyes, fixed surgically when I was ca 4/5 yrs old.

I believe you can have fresnel lenses in specs to help with the double vision.

But to fix it properly as an adult will require medical expertise of a fairly high order I think. See your GP and get booked in with a consultant ophthalmologist for a start.

Don't just put up with it, start to get it sorted. Just the act of doing something will make you feel much happier.

[geek84]

Thanks dontlookdown

[Starjet99]

geek84 said:

Hi Folks

I have a squint in my eye from birth.

I have terrible problems when I need to look at people whilst talking them or when I go for job interviews and the usual advice is to look the interviewer in the eye when talking.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

If so, how did you overcome this?

Thank You

I had this in both eyes from birth, several operations in childhood fixed one but not fully the other.

I had my final operation at 17 years old. It's unnoticeable now, unless I'm very tired.

A good friend had hers fixed a couple of years ago in her 30s. She was in hospital for about 7 hours, and needed a week off work after.

I'd strongly advocate a surgical fix. It's not painful and a week (or so) off work. Massive confidence boost.

Edited to add: Give me a shout if you have any questions

Edited by Starjet99 on Saturday 17th April 08:55

[rednotdead]

Definitely worth seeing a specialist and talking options. I have a really bad squint in one eye but have always controlled it with prisms in my glasses. It got to the stage where my optician wasn't happy trying to shoehorn in such a powerful prism with my prescription so referred me. I was offered surgery but I was also recommended botox in the eye muscles first. I went with botox and it was hell - my eye was over corrected so I had permanent double vision for nearly 2 months until the botox wore off. However, it did seem to 'reset' my squint to the extent that for the last 18 months I have not needed a prism in my glasses. I can feel my eye start to drift again now though, especially when I am tired and a recent eye test suggested a low power prism.

I declined the surgery, mainly due to the fear of my squint being over-corrected and leaving me with double vision. Apparently the surgery is quick and easy but the results are far more predictable the younger you are.

[Davel]

I had exactly this and went for corrective surgery which went without any problem.

I'm terrified of things near my eyes so requested and had a GA.

It was an absolute doddle (for me anyway).

It's not perfect but very nearly.

Oh and I don't have binocular vision so no double vision at all.

Apparently, my brain switches my vision from eye to eye as required.

Do it...

Edited by Davel on Saturday 17th April 13:45

[geek84]

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your replies.

I am not planning to have any surgery done to my eyes due to my age.

I only want advice of the best way 'to look people in the eye/face' when talking to them.

Thank You

[Davel]

Well I was about 58 at the time

Edited by Davel on Sunday 18th April 20:22

[Gerradi]

I have had Lazy eye from birth plus the focusing muscles in this eye are forever trying to focus. The optician told me years ago that he did not want to give me any glasses as I only see correctly through my right eye & if that deteriorates he does not know what I will do .
Well 40+ years on & I am now experiencing squint when tired in my right eye, this causes double vision & loss of balance but i also now suffer with Ocular migraine, which is like a psychedelic trip on its own, no pain but I am dis orientated when its over after about 40 mins.
Not very nice

[Kiltie]

geek84 said:

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your replies.

I am not planning to have any surgery done to my eyes due to my age.

I only want advice of the best way 'to look people in the eye/face' when talking to them.

Thank You

Hi OP, I see you're not looking for advice on surgery … but I'm going to tell you my story anyway.

I had a squint since birth - one eye looking outwards.

It seemed to get worse as I got older - or I became more self conscious, I'm not sure which.

Over the years, various opticians told me I couldn't get it fixed as I'd have double vision.

It became a real problem for me and I was struggling with my confidence. As you say, speaking to people and making eye contact was difficult. In situations like interviews, it was bad news and I started looking away from people when speaking to them. I would make fleeting eye contact then look down or to the side. I started imagining I looked shifty or something. I also imagined certain people were avoiding eye contact with me. It was bad news.

At the end of 2018, I got made redundant so I had time on my hands and a few bob in the bank. I decided to ask my optician to refer me to a specialist consultant. I went to see him expecting he'd say the same as various opticians had … but no. He was confident he could fix me.

So I had surgery to correct my squint and it was massive for me. Went for an interview shortly after, felt confident and got the job (I know the two things aren't necessarily directly connected but you know what I mean).

I was 55 years old when I had the op and I've never looked back since.

One thing I have noticed though …

Those people who avoided eye contact before … still do

My advice? Pay the consultation fee to see a consultant privately and see where it takes you. My man said he'd do me on the NHS as it was affecting me so much but I decided to pay a few £k to get it done quickly.

Good luck.

[geek84]

Thanks very much Kiltie for your detailed reply. Much appreciated.

[Kiltie]

geek84 said:

Thanks very much Kiltie for your detailed reply. Much appreciated.

No bother.

Here are a couple of images …

Immediately before surgery …



The day after surgery …



Take care.

[Davel]

My Doctor referred me to a surgeon who agreed to do it through the NHS, so you might not have to pay.