Two Common Eye Conditions, Two Effective Treatments
Squint (strabismus) and blocked tear ducts requiring DCR surgery are among the most common reasons patients visit an ophthalmologist in Bahawalpur and Jahanian — yet both are frequently misunderstood or left untreated for years. Both conditions are highly treatable when diagnosed early.
Understanding Squint (Strabismus)
Squint occurs when the eyes do not align properly — one eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward while the other looks straight ahead. It can appear in early childhood or develop later in life due to nerve, muscle, or neurological causes.
Signs of Squint
- Eyes that do not appear to look in the same direction
- Frequent squinting or closing one eye in bright light
- Tilting or turning the head to focus on objects
- Poor depth perception
- In children: lazy eye (amblyopia) if left untreated
Treatment Options
Depending on severity and cause, treatment may include corrective glasses, vision therapy, eye patching (for children with amblyopia), or surgical correction of the eye muscles to realign the eyes. Squint surgery is typically a day-care procedure with a short recovery period.
Why Early Treatment Matters
In children, untreated squint can lead to permanent lazy eye and poor depth perception if not corrected before the visual system fully develops (usually by age 7–9). In adults, squint correction improves both function and confidence, since untreated squint can affect self-esteem and social interactions.
Understanding DCR Surgery (Blocked Tear Ducts)
DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy) is a surgical procedure to treat a blocked nasolacrimal (tear) duct — the passage that normally drains tears from the eye into the nose.
Signs You May Need DCR Surgery
- Constant watering of one or both eyes (epiphora)
- Recurrent eye infections or discharge
- Swelling or a lump near the inner corner of the eye
- Sticky discharge, especially on waking
How DCR Surgery Works
DCR surgery creates a new drainage pathway between the tear sac and the nasal cavity, bypassing the blocked duct. This relieves chronic watering and eliminates the risk of repeated infections. The procedure is done under local or general anaesthesia depending on the case, with most patients returning to normal activity within a few days.
Book a Consultation
If you or your child show signs of squint, or if you experience persistent watering or infections in one eye, Dr. Munawar Ali Bhatti at A B Vision Hospital offers complete evaluation and treatment for both conditions in Bahawalpur and Jahanian.