Opthal: Squint (Strabismus): Free MSRA Podcast

🎧FREE MSRA PODCAST –Squint (Strabismus): Spot It, Treat It, Save Sight 👁️Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we’re decoding Squint (aka Strabismus) — a vital paediatricand ophthalmology topic that regularly shows up in the MSRA exam. From tropiasto phorias, and from patching to surgery, this is your go-to high-yieldsummary. 🧠What You'll Learn inThis Episode:✅Definition• Squint (strabismus) = misalignment of the eyes• One eye focusesnormally, the other may turn inwards, outwards,upwards or downwards• Mnemonic: "Tropia = True (Visible), Phoria = Phantom(Hidden)" 📚Classification Recap🔹Manifest (Tropia) – seen when both eyes are open🔹Latent (Phoria) – only appears when fusion is broken (cover test)🔹Concomitant – deviation angle is the same in all directions🔹Paralytic(Incomitant) – deviation varies withgaze🧭 Directional Mnemonics:• ESO = Eyes turn inwards(accommodative squint)• EXO = Eyes turn outwards(convergence insufficiency)• HYPER = One eye turns up, HYPO = One eye turns down 🔎Causes & RiskFactors🔹Idiopathic – most common🔹Neurological – e.g. cerebral palsy🔹Muscle imbalance – congenital or acquired🔹Geneticpredisposition – 30% have a familyhistory🔹Prematurity🔹Other eye diseases – e.g. childhood cataracts, ROP 🔬PathophysiologySummary• Imbalance of the extraocular muscles or their neurological control• In adults: mayfollow stroke, trauma, or thyroid eye disease• In children: oftendevelopmental 🩺DifferentialDiagnosis (Don’t Miss)• Pseudostrabismus – looks like a squint but it’snot (e.g. broad nasal bridge)• Convergence insufficiency• Paralytic nerve palsy (CN III, IV, VI) 📊Epidemiology• 2–5% prevalence inthe UK• Diagnosed by age 6in most cases• Infantile misalignment often resolves in firstfew months• Esotropia common in Caucasian children• Exotropia more common in non-White populations 👁️Clinical Features• Visiblemisalignment• Diplopia(especially adults)• Asthenopia (eyestrain, headaches)• Head tilt orabnormal posture• Clumsiness or poordepth perception• Intermittentlyclosing one eye in bright light (often exotropia) 🧪Investigations🔸Visual acuity (both eyes separately)🔸Cover tests (standard, uncover, alternate)🔸Corneal light reflex(Hirschberg’s test)🔸Ophthalmoscopy🔸Refraction🔸Orthoptic assessment – definitive evaluation 💊Management (Mnemonic: "GAPS")Glasses – correct refractive errorAmblyopia treatment – patching or atropinedropsPrisms – help with diplopia in some casesSurgery – for persistent or severe cases🔹Early treatment is essential to prevent amblyopia🔹 Botulinum toxin or miotic drops sometimes trialled🔹 Orthoptic exercises help in convergenceinsufficiency 📉Prognosis &Complications✔️ Good with early diagnosis and treatment❌ Untreated = amblyopia, loss of depth perception⚠️ Surgical risks: under/overcorrection, recurrence😔 Psychosocial impact (bullying, self-esteem, jobinterviews) 📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Squint📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/squint-strabismus-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/squint-strabismus-flashcards/📖 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/squint-strabismus-accordion-qa-notes/🎯 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/squint-strabismus-rapid-quiz/🧪 Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/squint/ 🎓 More free revision content:🌐https://www.passthemsra.com🎁https://www.freemsra.com Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision#Strabismus #Squint #MSRAOphthalmology #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #MSRATextbook#MSRANotes #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #EyeHealth #OphthalmologyMSRA