ABSTRACT
Background: Squint, crossed eyes and deviating eyes is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. A child with squint may stop using the affected eye. This can lead to visual loss called amblyopia, which can become permanent unless treated early in childhood. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of squint, some determinants and clinical manifestations and treatment characteristics in the studied children and adolescents in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. The study included 156 randomly selected participants [62 male and 94 female children and adolescents]
Results: This study reported squint in 14.7% of the studied sample, 26.1% were females and 73.9% were males. There was no significant relation between squint and age, other hereditary diseases or other chronic diseases but there was relation with consanguinity between parents [P=0.03]. The cause of squint was eye trauma in 17.4%, surgical operation in 4.3% and neurological disease in 4.3%. Squint was right sided in 47.8% of cases, left sided in 34.8% and in both eyes in 17.4% of the studied cases. 78.3% of the cases had inward squint and 17.4% outward squint. In 8.7% of the cases squint alternate between eyes. Temporary squint found in 52.2% and 78.3% of squint cases use glasses. In all cases squint affect visual acuity. All cases received treatment [69.9% medical and 30.4% surgical] but only 52.2% cured and 43.5% had recurrence
Conclusion: This study reported squint in 14.7% of the studied sample, 73.9% were males. There was significant with sex and consanguinity between parents [P=0.03]. The etiology was eye trauma, eye surgical operation and neurological disease. Large scale screening studies is mandatory. Health education of the public about causes and importance of early treatment is important