Home ServicesPaediatric Ophthalmology & Squint Care

Speciality Clinic SpecialityTripura's 1st NABH Hospital

Paediatric Ophthalmology & Squint Care

Compassionate child vision screenings, amblyopia (lazy eye) therapy, squint surgery, and pediatric refraction in Agartala.

Duration

30 - 45 Minutes (Checkup) / 45 Mins (Surgery)

Anesthesia

Gentle Eye Drops / Safe Paediatric General Anesthesia

Hospital Stay

Day-Care Outpatient (Discharge in 2-3 Hours)

Recovery

Immediate for checkup; 3-5 days for squint surgery

Book Consultation via WhatsApp Call: +91 92336 17885

Paediatric Ophthalmology & Squint Care at Ashvini Netralaya Agartala

Detailed Medical Guide

Clinical Overview & Treatment Method

A child’s visual system undergoes critical development from birth up to 8–10 years of age. Undetected refractive errors, squint (strabismus), or congenital cataracts during this window can lead to permanent lazy eye (amblyopia). At Ashvini Netralaya, our dedicated Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic is designed specifically to ensure a warm, engaging, and fear-free environment for children. We utilize specialized child-friendly diagnostic equipment (Lea symbols, streak retinoscopes, synoptophores) and perform micro-surgical muscle re-alignment for strabismus to restore binocular 3D vision.

Our clinical team works closely with parents to identify early signs of developmental vision delay. Through personalized amblyopia patching protocols, specialized glasses, orthoptic vision therapy, and precision squint surgery, we ensure your child grows up with confident, balanced, and razor-sharp vision.

Key Clinical Advantages at Ashvini Netralaya

Dedicated child-friendly consulting suite with trained pediatric nurses

Accurate cycloplegic refraction preventing over-minus or incorrect spectacle prescriptions

Scientific amblyopia therapy: structured occlusion eye patching & visual exercises

Precision strabismus surgery restoring cosmetic symmetry and 3D depth perception

Myopia progression management program using specialized progressive & therapeutic lenses

Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in neonates and low-birth-weight infants

Symptoms & When to Consult an Eye Specialist

If you or your family members in Agartala or Tripura experience any of the following indications, we strongly advise scheduling an evaluation:

Eyes appearing crossed, drifting inward (esotropia), or turning outward (exotropia)

Squinting, tilting head sideways, or closing one eye while looking at distant objects

Holding books, phones, or tablets unusually close to the face

Frequent eye rubbing, excessive blinking, or complaints of headaches after school

Difficulty with reading, catching balls, or clumsiness indicating poor depth perception

An abnormal white reflex ('cat's eye' glow) seen in flash photographs of the child's pupil

Who is an Ideal Candidate for this Procedure?

Infants and children with suspected misaligned eyes (squint/strabismus)

Children failing school vision screenings or showing poor concentration in class

Children with a family history of high spectacles power, lazy eye, or childhood eye diseases

Premature babies requiring screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Teens experiencing eye strain, double vision, or asthenopic symptoms during digital study

Options & Technology

Paediatric Vision Correction Options at Ashvini Netralaya

Treatment depends on whether the condition is refractive, binocular alignment, or neuro-developmental.

Option / Type	Vision Range	Night Glare	Spectacle Freedom	Ideal Candidate
Optical Glasses & Prisms First-Line Treatment	Full distance and near correction	None	Spectacles worn daily as prescribed	Accommodative esotropia, high hypermetropia, myopia, astigmatism
Amblyopia Occlusion Patching Proven Clinical Standard	Restores visual acuity in the lazy eye	None	Used alongside glasses	Children under 9 with unilateral lazy eye (amblyopia)
Strabismus Muscle Surgery Definitive Alignment	Restores straight alignment & binocular fusion	None	Straightens eyes; glasses may still be worn for sharpness	Non-accommodative squint, paralytic squint, large deviation
Synoptophore & Vision Therapy Therapeutic Training	Enhances binocular 3D depth perception	None	Improves binocular coordination	Convergence insufficiency, intermittent exotropia, poor stereopsis

Clinical Walkthrough

Step-by-Step Procedure at Ashvini Netralaya

Conducted in our modular NABH-accredited operating theatres or diagnostic laboratories with zero-infection sterilization protocols.

Engaging Visual Acuity Assessment

10 mins

Using picture charts (Lea symbols), matching cards, and Cardiff acuity tests tailored to the child's developmental age.

Cycloplegic Drop Refraction

30 mins

Safe pediatric eye drops gently relax the child's strong focusing muscles, allowing accurate determination of true refractive power.

Ocular Alignment & Muscle Balance Testing

10 mins

Prism bar cover tests and synoptophore examination measure the angle of squint and check for 3D stereoscopic depth perception.

Dilated Fundus & Retinal Check

10 mins

Thorough inspection of the optic nerve and retina to rule out congenital cataracts, retinoblastoma, or neurological conditions.

Parental Counseling & Treatment Plan

15 mins

Doctor explains the diagnosis, spectacle prescription, patching schedule, or surgical muscle realignment if indicated.

Post-Op Healing

Recovery Timeline & Visual Milestones

Days 1 to 3 Post-Surgery

Initial Eye Alignment & Comfort

Mild pinkness on the white of the eye is normal. Child rests comfortably at home with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Rest quietly at home
Instill eye drops as prescribed
Avoid rubbing the eyes or vigorous games

Week 1 Follow-Up

Healing & Suture Absorption

Pediatric ophthalmologist evaluates straight alignment and confirms clean, infection-free conjunctival healing.

Return to school and light classroom study
Wear protective glasses outdoors
Avoid swimming and contact sports

Month 1 to 3 Checkup

Binocular Vision & 3D Stereopsis Check

Assessment of binocular fusion and depth perception. Child enjoys natural eye contact and stereoscopic vision.

Full sports and swimming permitted
Continue periodic routine vision checks every 6 months

Pre-Procedure Preparation

•Explain the checkup playfully to your child so they feel excited rather than anxious.
•Bring along favorite toys, snacks, or an extra jacket to make them feel comfortable.
•For squint surgery: strictly fast (no food or water) for 6 hours prior to general anesthesia.
•Inform the doctor about any asthma, drug allergies, or recent cough/cold.
•Have all previous spectacle prescriptions or developmental records ready.

Post-Procedure Guidelines

•Wash your hands thoroughly before instilling prescribed drops.
•Do not let your child rub or press on their eyes; keep nails trimmed.
•Avoid splashing tap water into the eyes for 10 days.
•Administer oral pain syrups only as recommended by the pediatrician.
•Attend the scheduled follow-up visits to monitor long-term ocular alignment.

Precision Equipment & Technological Advantage

Clement Clarke Synoptophore

Haag-Streit UK

Gold standard diagnostic instrument for assessing simultaneous perception, fusion range, and stereoscopic depth perception in children.

Heine Streak Retinoscope

Heine Optotechnik (Germany)

High-precision optic beam allowing objective refraction in uncooperative toddlers without requiring subjective patient responses.

“My 6-year-old daughter was teased at school because of her crossed eye. Dr. Paichainda diagnosed her amblyopia, prescribed glasses, and later performed surgery. Her eyes are now perfectly straight and her confidence has soared. We are forever grateful to Ashvini Netralaya.”

Debolina Sen (Mother of Ananya, 6)Banamalipur, Agartala • Bilateral Strabismus Realignment (Normal 3D Vision Restored)

Frequently Asked Questions About Paediatric Ophthalmology & Squint Care

Can children outgrow a squint on their own?

No, a true squint is never outgrown. Ignoring an eye turn can lead to the brain ignoring signals from that eye, resulting in permanent irreversible lazy eye (amblyopia). Early evaluation by a pediatric ophthalmologist is critical.

How does eye patching help amblyopia (lazy eye)?

By gently covering the stronger eye with an adhesive patch for a few hours each day, the brain is encouraged to actively use and strengthen visual pathways from the weaker eye, permanently improving its sharpness.

Is squint surgery safe for young children?

Yes. Squint surgery involves gently adjusting the tiny muscles on the outside of the eyeball without entering the eye. Under safe pediatric anesthesia at Ashvini Netralaya, children recover quickly and return to school within 3 to 5 days.

At what age should my child have their first eye exam?

We recommend an initial screening at 6 months to 1 year, another at age 3, and a comprehensive checkup before entering primary school (age 5), even if no symptoms are apparent.

Can excessive screen time cause permanent vision damage in children?

Excessive mobile phone and tablet use causes digital eye strain, dry eyes, and significantly accelerates myopia (nearsightedness) progression. We recommend the 20-20-20 rule and at least 2 hours of outdoor daylight exposure daily.

Will my child need glasses forever after squint surgery?

Squint surgery aligns the eyes physically, but if your child also has refractive error (like astigmatism or farsightedness), glasses will still be needed to ensure sharp optical clarity.

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