How can I effectively counsel parents about the potential long-term implications of untreated strabismus in children?

When counseling parents about the potential long-term implications of untreated strabismus (squint) in children, it is crucial to highlight the importance of early intervention and adherence to treatment plans ¹.

Key long-term implications include:

• Untreated strabismus can lead to or worsen amblyopia (lazy eye), which is a significant barrier to optimal visual acuity ¹.
• The primary goal of treatment is to maintain or restore optimal visual acuity in each eye and normal binocular vision ¹.
• Failure to treat can also result in psychological or social problems for the child ¹.

It is important to explain that the earlier treatment is initiated, the better the outcome for preventing or improving amblyopia ¹. As primary care health professionals, your role includes encouraging compliance with the treatment plan, especially if occlusion therapy (patching) is recommended, as poor compliance is the single greatest barrier to improvement in visual acuity ¹.

You should also provide parents with reliable sources of information on squint ¹. Useful resources include:

• The Squint Clinic website (www.squintclinic.com), which offers detailed information, videos of tests, procedures, and surgery ¹.
• The Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) website (www.rnib.org.uk), which has information on childhood squint ¹.
• The Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust website (www.moorfields.nhs.uk), providing information on squint and botulinum toxin treatment ¹.