Paediatric squint surgery corrects a misalignment of a child’s eyes (strabismus) by adjusting the extraocular muscles that move each eye. It is a day-case operation performed under general anaesthetic, usually taking 45–90 minutes, and is considered when glasses, treatment for a lazy eye (amblyopia) and orthoptic care have not fully corrected the squint. Private surgery in the UK typically costs from around £3,000 and is individually quoted after a full orthoptic and consultant assessment.
What is a childhood squint?
A squint (strabismus) is where the eyes point in different directions — one eye may turn inwards (esotropia), outwards (exotropia), or up or down. It is common in childhood and can be constant or intermittent. Left unmanaged, a squint can lead to a lazy eye (amblyopia), where the brain suppresses the image from the turning eye, and it can affect a child’s 3D (binocular) vision and confidence.
Assessment by an orthoptist and paediatric ophthalmologist is essential. Many children are treated without surgery — and where surgery is needed, it works best once any glasses prescription and lazy eye have been addressed.
Treatment options
Surgery is only one part of squint care. Your child’s plan is tailored after assessment and may include:
Older teenagers and adults can also be treated — see adult squint surgery and adult squint surgery costs. For lazy eye specifically, read about amblyopia treatment.
Noticed your child’s eye turning? An orthoptic assessment measures the squint precisely and identifies whether glasses, lazy-eye treatment or surgery is the right next step.
Book an orthoptic assessmentWhat happens during squint surgery
Squint surgery in children is carried out under general anaesthetic, so your child is asleep and feels nothing, at a facility equipped for paediatric anaesthesia and care.
- The surgeon gently lifts the clear membrane (conjunctiva) over the white of the eye — there are no cuts to the skin, and the eye is never removed from the socket.
- One or more of the six small eye-movement muscles are adjusted — recessed (moved back to weaken a pull) or resected (shortened to strengthen it).
- The muscles are secured with fine dissolvable stitches, and the conjunctiva is closed.
- The whole operation usually takes 45–90 minutes depending on how many muscles are treated.
- Your child wakes in recovery and can normally go home the same day.
Recovery week-by-week
First few days
The eye is red and may feel gritty or sore. Simple pain relief and prescribed drops keep your child comfortable. Some sticky discharge is normal.
Week 1
Most children return to school within about a week. Avoid rubbing the eye. A first review checks healing and alignment.
Weeks 2–4
Redness fades gradually. No swimming for around two weeks. Drops continue as directed.
Beyond a month
Final alignment settles. Occasionally a small residual squint remains and a further adjustment is discussed. Orthoptic follow-up continues.
Squint surgery cost
Private paediatric squint surgery in the UK is usually individually quoted, from around £3,000, depending on how many muscles are treated and whether one or both eyes are involved. A transparent package includes the orthoptic and consultant assessment, the day-case surgery, paediatric general anaesthetic and theatre fees, and post-operative reviews.
- Self-pay: from around £3,000 per procedure, individually quoted.
- Insurance: many policies cover squint surgery where clinically indicated — check your child’s cover.
- Included: assessment, surgery, anaesthetic, theatre and follow-up.