Strabismus, commonly known as a squint, occurs in 2-4% of the population and is most commonly seen in young children.

A squint occurs when the muscles which move the eyes (the extraocular muscles) don't work together properly. There may be a misalignment of the eyes (one eye is at an angle when the person looks straight ahead) or a lack of coordination. As the eyes point in slightly different directions, the brain cannot combine the views from each eye to produce a sharp 3D image.

Two common types of squint are 'convergent' (or crossed-eyes) where one or both eyes turn inward, and 'divergent' (or walleye) where one or both eyes turn outward. If you're worried about your child having a squint, it's best to consult your optician or GP.