Health:-/- Squint correction renews confidence

"I never liked looking at my own photograph until now," says Ramesh
Kumar. Be it obtaining a driver's licence, meeting a prospective bride
or finding permanent employment, for the contract technician from
Ariyalur, every milestone has been marred by his squint. But the
32-year-oldis among the 20 persons, mostly children, who have found
renewed confidence with the defect rectified under the Chief Minster's
comprehensive health insurance scheme.
With the recent empanelment of Mahatma Gandhi Eye Hospital, that has
been authorised to perform squint correction surgeries under the
health insurance scheme, an average of one surgery is performed a day.
The procedure was added in the new scheme. Squint or strabismus is the
misalignment of eyes when both eyes point in different directions.
While one may be focussed straight, the other may look inward,
outward, upward or downward.
Nine-year-old Krishnaveni, the daughter of a labourer from Kolarpatti
near Nagamangalam was often in tears after school being teased as
'orakannu' by classmates. Though some persons with squint may have low
self-esteem, squint correction is not merely a cosmetic surgery.
"Squint correction is important to restore binocular vision," says
Ramesh, paediatric ophthalmologist at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. While
an object is viewed simultaneously by one eye,the brain suppresses one
image in persons with squint.
"There may be no major visual problem, but squint is a major cause of
lazy eyeor ambylopia which may lead to permanent loss of vision in one
eye." Besides, there are chances of total vision loss if the good eye
is injured.
Though educated classes report paediatric vision related problems,
lower socio-economic groups often ignore the problem until the
question of a marriage or technical job arises. In the case of Ramesh
Kumar, coughing up Rs.10,000- 30,000 for a surgery when there was
nosubstantial eye defect except blurred vision, was out of the
question.
Squint is also wrongly associated with good luck as father of eight
year old Brinda from Ayyampalayam near Manachanallur agrees. Initially
hesitant to opt for treatment, he agreed after advised strongly at a
school eye camp. "Earlier the squint is treated, the better as eight
is the age ofvisual maturity after whichefficiency of surgery may be
reduced," says Dr.Ramesh.
Not all persons with squintneed surgical correction, ascertain squints
can be corrected with eye co-ordiantion exercises or prescription of
glasses.
"Evaluation to detect the angle of deviation preciselyis key in squint
surgery. If children don't co-operate and there are minor
disturbances, things may go haywire," says Dr.Ramesh. Vision
correction may be requiredsubsequent to surgery and regular monitoring
and vision testing are the normtill 18.
"With recent surgical advancement, squint can be corrected even in
infants less than six months."
Chances of premature babies and children born out of marriages between
blood relations developing squint is relatively higher, says Dr.Ramesh
cautioning those with family history of optical problems to stay
alert./