Pseudosquint
Date issued: November 2023
Review date: November 2025
Ref: B-481/ML/REI/Pseudosquint v2
PDF: Pseudosquint final November 2023 v2.pdf [pdf] 150KB
What is Pseudosquint?
Your child has been seen by the orthoptist, who could not find any sign that your child has a squint (strabismus). Your child demonstrated the ability to hold their eyes in a straight position.
It is common for young children to have the appearance of a squint, when in fact the eyes are aligned and working together normally. This is usually because the bridge of their nose is wide and flat, which results in skin folds (epicanthic folds) in the inner corners of the eye that can give the appearance of a squint. This is called pseudosquint (pseudostrabismus).
Is It Permanent?
As children grow, the bridge of their nose will narrow and the skin folds in the corner of the eyes will disappear. This will cause the eyes to appear wider, and the appearance of a squint will disappear. Audit of children diagnosed with pseudosquint in Plymouth* has found that if the orthoptist could not find any sign of a squint at your first appointment, then there is a less than 3% chance of a true squint developing in the future.
If you are still noticing the squint after 6 – 12 months (or any time after this), or if you are beginning to see it more frequently, then please ask your GP to refer you back to the orthoptic department and we would be more than happy to see you again.
Vision Screening
Pseudosquint does not affect the vision in either eye, and it does not cause a higher chance that your child will require glasses.
It is very difficult to accurately assess the vision level in young children, and vision testing is not always reliable, therefore we cannot be absolutely sure that your child has perfect vision in both eyes. A glasses test has not been conducted.
All children in Plymouth will have their vision tested in school at the age of 4 – 5 years, and if any concerns are found you will be contacted and offered an appointment at the Royal Eye Infirmary. If you have concerns about your child’s vision before this age, then you can talk to your GP or your Health Visitor to arrange another appointment at the Royal Eye Infirmary.
*Pseudosquint Audit 2020: 2.4% of those children who were not found to have a squint at their first visit, were later found to have a squint.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us:
For help or advice, contact: Orthoptic Department: 01752439319
For further information in regards to Vision Screening at 4-5 years of age:
orthoptics.org.uk/patients-and-public/childrens-vision-screening/
