{"(content|0)":"The exact cause of a squint is not always known. There can be many reasons. Causes of squint can be:","(content|1)":"","(content|2)":"Congenital (a child may born with squint)","(content|3)":"Hereditary (running in families)","(content|4)":"Result of an illness (squint may also develop because of viral fever, measles, meningitis etc.)","(content|5)":"Refractive error or astigmatism","(content|6)":"An injury","(content|7)":"Other conditions (Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome may also be more prone to develop a squint)","(content|8)":"Factors associated with an increased risk of Squint include:","(content|9)":"","(content|10)":"Premature birth","(content|11)":"Small size of baby at birth","(content|12)":"Family history of crossed eyes","(content|13)":"Developmental disability in the child","(content|14)":"","(content|15)":"","(content|16)":"It's important not to ignore a squint. It could lead to further problems if left untreated:","(content|17)":"","(content|18)":"The patient may suffer from double vision.","(content|19)":"Squinting of eyes may become permanent.","(content|20)":"The child will not develop normal eyesight","(content|21)":"The patient will suffer from embarrassment or low self-esteem","(content|22)":"","(content|23)":"","(content|24)":"It's important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood.","(content|25)":"","(content|26)":"The doctor may suggest eye exercises for the treatment of the squint depending on the condition of the eye.","(content|27)":"If the patient suffers from squint due to refractive error or astigmatism, the doctor may suggest eyeglasses.","(content|28)":"The doctor may suggest a surgery depending on the eye condition.","(content|29)":"Wearing an eye patch over your dominant eye can help strengthen your weaker eye. The doctor may suggest the patient using an eye patch on the dominant eye. ","(content|30)":"","(content|31)":"","(content|32)":"","(content|33)":"","(content|34)":"Treatment tends to be more effective when the child is young. It's important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood. The best results occur when treatment starts before age 7 or 8.","(content|35)":"","(content|36)":"","(content|37)":"","(content|38)":"","(content|39)":"","(content|40)":"Causes of Squint\/ Crossed Eyes","(content|41)":"Risk Factors","(content|42)":"What happens if left untreated","(content|43)":"Treatment Options","(content|44)":"Special Notes"}