Latent Squint — How to fix your Heterophoria
Latent squint, also known as latent strabismus or heterophoria, is an eye condition where the eyes are not perfectly aligned to the same point. It is a type of squint that is not always visible, as the affected person can often align both eyes correctly under normal circumstances. This condition typically appears when the person’s visual system is stressed or fatigued.
Latent squint differs from manifest squint in several significant ways. While manifest squint is constantly visible—where one or both eyes consistently point in a direction different from the other—latent strabismus is more subtle and often not noticeable during casual observation. Latent squint only appears under specific conditions, such as fatigue or stress, and can lead to temporary visual issues like double vision. In contrast, people with manifest squint have a persistent and obvious eye deviation, which can cause more lasting visual problems and often requires more intensive treatment, such as surgery, extended visual training, or the use of specialized glasses. In summary, the main difference between latent and manifest squint is that the latent form is intermittent and often hidden, while the manifest form is constant and visible.
Symptoms of Latent Squint
Latent squint can manifest through a range of symptoms. The most common issues include:
Eye fatigue: Since the eyes are constantly straining to stay aligned, this can result in eye fatigue. Such fatigue is often worsened by long periods in front of screens or during concentrated tasks.
Headaches: Recurring headaches, especially after visual exertion, can be a sign of latent squint. This type of headache often occurs in the forehead or around the eyes.
Double vision: Sometimes individuals may experience their vision doubling, which is a direct result of the eyes not cooperating properly. Double vision can be particularly noticeable when tired or at the end of the day.
Difficulties with depth perception: Poor depth perception is another common consequence of latent squint. This can make it hard for individuals to judge distances accurately, which is important in many everyday situations.
Reading difficulties: Individuals may struggle to read efficiently as the eyes have difficulty following a line of text smoothly. This can lead to slow reading speeds and challenges in retaining information.
Treatment and Remedies
Previously, treatment methods for latent squint were often demanding and time-consuming. A common remedy has been vision training, where eye exercises are performed over an extended period to strengthen the eye muscles and improve coordination between the eyes.
Another measure is the use of prism glasses, which have specialized lenses to correct vision and reduce double vision. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to adjust the position of the eye muscles and correct the squint.
Another method involves using an occlusion patch, which covers one eye to train and strengthen the other eye. These treatments typically demand long-term and continuous effort from the patient, with regular visits to eye specialists for follow-ups and adjustments to the treatment plan.
Imvi Labs, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, has developed a method that trains eye coordination in just 12 weeks. Through this training, both eyes are forced to work together simultaneously, resulting not only in faster reading speeds and improved concentration but also in the potential elimination of latent strabismus.
The training is performed using VR glasses, ensuring that the individual perceives only one image instead of two screens. Instead of using a traditional pencil exercise, you can now train your binocular vision and eye coordination much faster—and more enjoyably.
The training is both effective and entertaining, as it involves watching videos, for example, on YouTube or SVT Play.
