Laser eye surgery can be suitable for some people with a squint, but it requires very careful binocular vision assessment.
When surgery may still be appropriate
If the squint is stable and both eyes work together reasonably well, laser correction may safely reduce dependence on glasses. The main goal is optical, not cosmetic, improvement.
- Patients should have realistic expectations regarding alignment
- Small, well-controlled deviations are less concerning
- Prism or binocular tests help predict how the eyes will behave after surgery
- Contact lens trials can simulate reduced spectacle power beforehand
Risks and situations needing caution
Altering the glasses prescription can unmask or worsen a tendency to squint. In some cases, strabismus surgery or prism glasses remain better options.
- Large or unstable squints may risk double vision after laser correction
- People with a history of suppression or amblyopia need thorough evaluation
- Some are advised to treat the squint first, or avoid laser surgery entirely
- Joint input from a strabismus specialist and refractive surgeon is ideal
