Hidden squint

Hidden squint, also known as latent strabismus , is an eye condition in which the eyes are not correctly aligned at the same point. It is a type of strabismus that is not always visible, as the affected person can often align both eyes correctly under normal circumstances. This condition most often occurs when the person's visual system is stressed or tired.

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Latent strabismus differs from common strabismus, also known as overt strabismus, in several important ways. While common strabismus is constantly visible, as one or both eyes are constantly pointing in a different direction than the other, latent strabismus is more subtle and often not noticeable during normal observation. Latent strabismus only occurs under certain circumstances, such as when a person is tired or stressed, and can then lead to temporary vision problems such as double vision and double images . In contrast, people with overt strabismus have a constant and obvious deviation in eye direction, which can lead to more permanent vision problems and often require more extensive treatment such as surgery or longer periods of vision training and the use of special glasses. In summary, the main difference between latent and common strabismus is that the latent variant is intermittent and often hidden, while the common strabismus is constant and visible.

Symptoms of hidden squint

  1. Eyestrain: As the eyes constantly strain to stay focused on the same point, this can result in eyestrain. This fatigue can be further exacerbated by long periods in front of screens or when working with concentration.

  2. Headaches: Recurrent headaches, especially after periods of visual strain, can be a sign of hidden strabismus. This type of headache often occurs in the forehead or around the eyes.

  3. Double vision: Sometimes people may experience double vision, which is a direct result of the eyes not working together properly. Double vision can be especially noticeable when tired or at the end of the day.

  4. Difficulty with depth perception: Poor depth perception is another common consequence of hidden strabismus. This can make it difficult for individuals to judge distance accurately, which is important in many everyday situations.

  5. Reading difficulties: People may have trouble reading because their eyes have difficulty following a line of text effectively. This can lead to a slow reading speed and problems retaining information.
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Outcome and measures

Previously, there were only treatments for hidden strabismus, which could be both demanding and time-consuming. An example of a common treatment is vision training, where eye exercises are performed over a long period of time to strengthen the eye muscles and improve cooperation between the eyes.

Another measure is prism glasses which have special lenses to correct vision and reduce the occurrence of double vision . For more severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to adjust the position of the eye muscles and thus correct the strabismus.

Yet another method is the use of cover glasses, which are placed over one eye to train and strengthen the other eye. These treatments often require a long and continuous effort on the part of the patient, with regular visits to eye specialists for follow-up and adjustment of the treatment plan.

Train to eliminate hidden squint by watching movies in VR

Imvi Labs, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, has developed a method that trains eye coordination in just 12 weeks. With our training, you force both eyes to work simultaneously, and the result is not only faster reading speed and increased concentration, but also the disappearance of hidden strabismus.

The training is done in VR glasses, which means that the person training does not perceive two screens, but only one. Instead of sitting with a pen in front of your face, you can now train your visual acuity and eye coordination much faster and, above all, more fun.

Training is both effective and entertaining as it involves training by watching films, for example from YouTube or SVT Play.

Entertaining & effective training
for you with hidden squint

Stream your favorite series in VR

You can easily train by watching streamed content via the Imvi app on your mobile phone that is in our VR glasses.

Train while streaming your favorite shows

Through the app you choose what type of content you want to watch. We currently support content from Youtube, SVT Play, Binogi, UR Play and content directly from your phone's camera roll.

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The app makes the image stream oscillate from right to left. But your brain perceives it as a regular movie.

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The training focuses on improving the brain's control of the eyes for better eye coordination. This improves blood flow and oxygenation of the brain, which increases reading speed, reading endurance and concentration.

Follow your progress

In the app you can easily follow your progress over time and receive recommendations for continued training.

Personalized tips based on your progress

In the app you can follow your or your children's development and results. We offer free accounts for parents to monitor their children's progress! After completing the training, you will receive personal recommendations for further training based on your results and progress.

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Maya, 9 years old

“Before I started with Imvi, reading was difficult. I found it boring. Now I have better reading comprehension and I enjoy reading much more.”

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“The best part was that I could exercise without actually having to read, while watching my favorite shows. Now I don't have to reread sentences or lines, and reading feels much easier.”

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Malin, 36 years old

“I have improved my comprehension by 27% and on average I have improved my reading speed by a whopping 89%!”

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“Imvi has really made me happy! My mom, dad and teachers also notice a big difference.”

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Causes of hidden strabismus

Hidden strabismus is caused by the muscles that control eye movement not working together effectively. This can be due to a variety of factors, including genetic and geographic factors that can lead to strabismus. Strabismus can be congenital or develop during childhood, meaning some individuals do not experience any symptoms until they are older.

Injuries or diseases that affect the function of the eye muscles can also be a cause of hidden strabismus in adults. Infections and muscle diseases can affect the eyes in a way that leads to strabismus, and in some cases, previous trauma to the eye or head can also play a role.

These factors can all contribute to weakening eye coordination, which in turn leads to the strabismus becoming more noticeable and bothersome.

Nicklas, 17 years old

“Thanks to Imvi Labs VR training, I have finally gotten rid of my hidden squint. Reading feels so much easier now”

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Diagnosis of hidden strabismus

Hidden strabismus can sometimes be difficult to detect without specific tests, making a professional assessment essential. An orthoptist or ophthalmologist uses specific tests and examinations to diagnose hidden strabismus. These tests may include eye exams to assess visual acuity and eye coordination, which are important in determining whether hidden strabismus is present.

During an examination, the doctor may use techniques such as the cover test, in which one eye is covered at a time to observe whether the other eye moves to fixate on a point. This helps identify latent strabismus by observing eye movements under different conditions.

Understanding these movements can be crucial to correctly diagnosing and treating hidden strabismus.

Other treatment methods

Treatment for latent strabismus can vary depending on the severity and specific needs of the individual. The most common treatment options include specially designed glasses, vision training, and in some cases, surgery. These treatments aim to improve eye coordination and reduce the symptoms of latent strabismus.

Glasses and prism lenses are often the first step in treatment, as they can help correct the alignment of the eyes and reduce symptoms. Vision training can also be effective in improving eye coordination and strengthening the muscles that control the eyes.

For more severe cases, strabismus surgery may be necessary to adjust the eye muscles and correct the strabismus.

Glasses and prism lenses

Glasses can help correct hidden strabismus by ensuring that the eyes are aimed at the same target. This can mean that the eyes are better synchronized and that the brain does not have to work as hard to create a unified image. By wearing glasses, many of the unpleasant symptoms of hidden strabismus, such as eye strain and headaches, can be significantly reduced.

Prism lenses are a special type of lens that can modify the path of light to help the eyes work together better. These lenses are designed to adjust the refraction of light so that the images from both eyes better align. This can be especially helpful for people who experience severe double vision or other vision problems related to hidden strabismus.

Vision training

Vision training can be an effective treatment for managing hidden strabismus. Exercises that improve eye coordination can include specific movements and focusing exercises that strengthen the muscles that control the eyes. Through regular training, one can improve visual function and avoid many of the problems associated with hidden strabismus.

In some cases, vision training can be complemented with other treatments, such as glasses or even surgery, if the exercises are not sufficient. The goal is always to improve coordination between the eyes, which is crucial to reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life of the affected individual.

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Surgical treatment

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to adjust the eye muscles and correct the strabismus. The surgery involves adjusting the muscles in the eye to restore normal eye positioning, which can be an effective solution for more severe cases of hidden strabismus.

This option is often considered when other treatments have not produced sufficient results.

Why VR training?

Imvi Labs' patented method involves watching movies in VR. Through the patented technology, the eyes are forced to work together. This has a large number of positive benefits. In addition to being able to train away hidden strabismus, some positive side effects are that you experience increased concentration and improved reading speed. Compared to other treatment options, Imvi's method is also significantly more entertaining, as it involves watching any streamed content.

Vision problems related to hidden strabismus

Hidden strabismus can lead to difficulty with eye coordination, which affects fixation and focusing. Another common name for this is convergence insufficiency . This can make it difficult to judge distance and cause problems with depth perception. Convergence, where the eyes turn inward when looking near, is a common problem associated with hidden strabismus.

People with hidden strabismus may experience double vision due to misalignment of the eyes, which can be very disruptive in everyday life. Headaches are another common symptom often caused by the visual strain that occurs when the eyes do not cooperate properly.

To improve eye coordination and reduce these problems, eye exercises can be very helpful.

Frequently asked questions about hidden strabismus

What is hidden strabismus?

Hidden strabismus is an eye condition where the eyes appear to be pointing at the same point, but they do not work together optimally. This can lead to vision problems and sometimes requires treatment to correct.

What causes hidden strabismus?

Latent strabismus is caused by ineffective coordination between the muscles that control eye movement, and can be linked to genetic factors, previous injuries, or diseases that affect the eye muscles. It is important to identify and treat this condition to improve vision.

Can I really get rid of my hidden squint by watching movies?

Yes, that's right. Imvi Lab's unique method trains eye coordination and helps you get rid of hidden squint by streaming any content from the SVT Play and YouTube services.

What are the most common symptoms of hidden strabismus?

The most common symptoms of hidden strabismus are eye strain, double vision, difficulty judging distance, and headaches. It is important to be aware of these signs in order to seek treatment in a timely manner.

What treatment options are available for hidden strabismus?

Treatment options for hidden strabismus include specially-designed glasses, vision training, and surgery to adjust the eye muscles. However, we recommend Imvi Labs' method for the fastest results.

Can you treat both horizontal and vertical strabismus?

Currently, we can only treat horizontal strabismus. We are developing our method to also be able to treat vertical strabismus. This is expected to be completed sometime in 2025.