Concierge paediatric ophthalmology · London
Correcting a squint in a child, by a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist.
A proper orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment first — then glasses, patching, prisms, botox or surgery, in that order, with a named consultant and orthoptist looking after your child from the first visit to the last review.
Why families choose us
- 01
A consultant paediatric ophthalmologist, with an orthoptist alongside
Squint work belongs to a paediatric ophthalmologist and an orthoptist working as a pair — not a general eye clinic that occasionally sees children.
- 02
Non-surgical options weighed first
Glasses for accommodative esotropia, patching for amblyopia, prisms, or botulinum toxin — surgery is the answer only when it genuinely is.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private squint correction for a child costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A full orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment in our network: £280–£450, the same day.
| Step in treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment | £280–£450 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
| Glasses prescription and dispensing | £150–£450 | 30 min | 1–2 weeks |
| Patching or atropine amblyopia programme | From £280 | Programme | Weeks–months |
| Prism lens fitting | £180–£420 | 30 min | 1–2 weeks |
| Botulinum toxin to extraocular muscles | £1,800–£3,200 | Day-case GA | Same visit |
| Squint surgery (one or two muscles) | £3,500–£6,500 | Day-case GA | Same visit |
| Squint surgery with adjustable sutures | £4,500–£7,500 | Day-case GA | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which consultant and orthoptist look after your child, by how many extraocular muscles are operated on, and by whether adjustable sutures are used. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right diagnosis first, then the right treatment — in the right order.
A childhood squint is not just cosmetic. It affects binocular vision and often causes amblyopia. Miss the amblyopia window and straightening the eye later will not fix it — we make sure that does not happen.
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Not sure it is a real squint?
Some babies’ eyes wander in the first weeks. We tell you when it is genuinely a squint that needs assessing.
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Worried about your child’s vision?
A full orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment measures each eye and looks for the lazy eye that so often sits behind a squint.
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Want it done properly?
A named paediatric ophthalmologist, an orthoptist who knows your child, and a paediatric anaesthetic team if surgery is needed.
The journey
From orthoptic assessment to follow-up — what happens, in order.
One clinician and one orthoptist from first message to review — including the long-term amblyopia programme.
Phase 1 · Before treatment
Assessment and planning
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Orthoptic follow-up
- 01
Before
You tell us what you have noticed
A short, confidential form. When the squint started, whether it comes and goes, whether one eye or both, and any family history.
- 02
Before
Orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment
A full orthoptic assessment — visual acuity for age, cover testing, ocular movements, stereopsis and cycloplegic refraction. Any imaging if indicated.
- 03
Before
A treatment plan is agreed with you
Glasses, patching or atropine penalisation for amblyopia, prisms, botulinum toxin, or surgery — with the sequence spelled out.
- 04
On the day
Arrival on the day of treatment
For surgery or botox: arrival, consent, and a chat with the surgeon and paediatric anaesthetist. Almost always a general anaesthetic day-case.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
Recession, resection or transposition of the extraocular muscles, or a botulinum toxin injection. 30 to 60 minutes in a proper theatre.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery in the paediatric bay and home within a few hours. Written aftercare, drops, and an emergency number for the night.
- 07
After
Orthoptic review and follow-up
Orthoptic review at one to two weeks, then at three to six months. Amblyopia treatment continues if binocular vision needs protecting.
Typical end-to-end: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to treatment. Amblyopia programme: months.
Types of squint
Not every squint is the same — and the treatment follows the type.
The categories we see most, plus the red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Esotropia (inward-turning eye)
The commonest childhood squint. Includes infantile esotropia and accommodative esotropia driven by long-sight.
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Exotropia (outward-turning eye)
Intermittent exotropia often shows up when the child is tired, unwell or daydreaming — and it can progress.
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Hypertropia and hypotropia
A vertical squint — one eye sits higher or lower than the other. Often points to a specific muscle or nerve problem.
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Accommodative vs non-accommodative
Accommodative esotropia responds to glasses; non-accommodative squints usually need prisms, botox or surgery.
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Concomitant vs incomitant
A concomitant squint is the same in every direction of gaze. An incomitant squint changes — and that raises the concern for a nerve palsy.
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Congenital vs acquired
Infantile esotropia appears before six months. An acquired squint later in childhood needs a clear cause.
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Amblyopia (lazy eye)
A squint often causes amblyopia in the deviating eye. Treating the amblyopia is as important as straightening the eye.
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Red flag: sudden new squint
A sudden squint, double vision, a white pupil or a squint with headache is an urgent same-day referral — not a clinic booking.
Treatment options
Surgery is not the only option — and rarely the first one.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which type of squint.
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Glasses (hyperopic correction)
For accommodative esotropia, the right long-sight glasses often straighten the eyes on their own. Worn full-time.
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Patching for amblyopia
A patch on the stronger eye for a set number of hours a day forces the weaker eye to work — the mainstay of amblyopia treatment.
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Atropine penalisation
Atropine drops in the stronger eye blur its vision, encouraging use of the weaker eye. An alternative for children who cannot tolerate a patch.
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Prism lenses
Prisms built into glasses can neutralise a small squint, restore single vision, or trial the effect of surgery.
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Botulinum toxin injection
Botox into an extraocular muscle temporarily weakens it — useful for small or new-onset squints, and as a trial before surgery.
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Recession and resection surgery
The classical squint operation — a muscle is moved back (recession) or shortened (resection) to rebalance the eye. Day-case under GA.
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Transposition surgery
For squints caused by a paralysed muscle, another muscle is moved to take over its job.
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Adjustable sutures
In older, co-operative children the stitches are tied loosely at surgery and adjusted the same day under LA — improving the odds of a straight eye first time.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of paediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists, we picked them.
Consultant paediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your child’s case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
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Consultant paediatric ophthalmologists with a strabismus subspecialty, not adult ophthalmologists who see children on the side
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A named orthoptist involved from first assessment to final review
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Paediatric anaesthetists and paediatric recovery for any day-case under GA
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Adjustable-suture and botox capability for the older or complex child
Safety and recovery
What to expect — honestly, and with red flags spelled out.
Squint correction in children is common and safe. What is worth planning is the timing, the amblyopia programme, and the possibility of a second procedure.
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Timing matters — especially for infantile esotropia
Infantile esotropia is usually operated on early, before two years, to give the best chance of any binocular vision developing.
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Amblyopia is treated in parallel
Straightening the eye does not fix a lazy eye. Patching or atropine continues before and after any surgery, guided by the orthoptist.
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A red, sticky, sore eye for a week
The eye is red and uncomfortable for about a week after surgery. Drops, simple painkillers and no swimming for two weeks.
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Double vision can happen — usually brief
Some children see double for a few days after surgery as the brain adjusts. Persistent diplopia is uncommon and reviewed promptly.
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A redo is not a failure
Around 20–30% of children need a second squint operation at some point. That is planned into the pathway, not a surprise.
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Botox is temporary
Botulinum toxin usually lasts three to four months. It can straighten the eye long enough for binocular vision to relearn, or act as a surgical trial.
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Glasses are not "just for now"
For accommodative esotropia the glasses do the work. Taking them off makes the eye turn again — they are the treatment.
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Adjustable sutures need a co-operative child
Adjustable sutures give a second chance to fine-tune alignment the same day, but they need a child who can sit still for a few minutes with drops.
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Red flags
A white pupil (leukocoria), sudden new squint, double vision, drooping eyelid, headache or vomiting are urgent — not for a routine clinic.
Red flags — get seen the same day
A sudden new squint (particularly with a possible cranial nerve palsy), a white pupillary reflex (retinoblastoma, leukocoria), a squint with headache or vomiting (a possible cranial mass), a variable squint with a droopy eyelid (myasthenia), a squint with a bulging or stiff eye (thyroid eye disease or a restrictive myopathy), and a red, painful, proptosed eye (orbital cellulitis) all need urgent same-day medical review. Undertreated amblyopia, significant over- or under-correction after surgery, and persistent post-operative double vision are all reasons to be seen quickly by the paediatric ophthalmology team rather than left to a routine follow-up.
Reading your child’s notes
The orthoptic and ophthalmology note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever treatment is chosen, the note the team sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Orthoptic language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your child’s review, just ask.
- 01 Assessment
Orthoptic findings
Visual acuity for age in each eye, cover test results, ocular movements, near and distance deviations, and stereopsis.
- 02 Refraction
Cycloplegic refraction and glasses plan
The child’s true refractive error under cycloplegia, and the glasses prescription — critical in accommodative esotropia.
- 03 Plan
Amblyopia programme and treatment plan
Patching hours or atropine schedule, plans for prisms, botox or surgery, and the timing of the next review.
- 04 Impression
Diagnosis, timing and follow-up
Read this first: the type of squint, whether early surgery is advised, and when the next orthoptic review is booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for paediatric squint assessment and treatment varies by insurer — usually funded when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything parents ask about correcting a child’s squint.
Quick answers on timing, glasses, patching, botox, surgery, and what to expect afterwards.
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At what age should a squint in a child be treated?
It depends on the type. Infantile esotropia (before six months) is usually operated on before the age of two to give binocular vision the best chance. Accommodative esotropia is often controlled with glasses alone. Intermittent exotropia is watched closely and treated when control drops or the deviation grows.
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Will my child grow out of a squint?
A wandering eye in the first three months of life is often normal. A squint that persists beyond three to four months, or any squint that appears later, does not "grow out" and needs an orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment.
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What is a lazy eye and how is it treated?
Amblyopia — a lazy eye — is reduced vision in an eye the brain has learnt to ignore, often because of a squint or a difference in prescription. It is treated by making the child use the weaker eye, either with a patch over the stronger eye for a set number of hours a day, or with atropine drops that blur the stronger eye.
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How much does private childhood squint surgery cost in London?
A full orthoptic and ophthalmology assessment is roughly £280–£450. Botulinum toxin under GA is £1,800–£3,200. Squint surgery on one or two muscles is £3,500–£6,500, or £4,500–£7,500 with adjustable sutures. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Is squint surgery on a child dangerous?
Squint surgery is a common, safe day-case operation performed under a general anaesthetic by a paediatric anaesthetist. Serious complications are uncommon. The commonest issues are a red, sore eye for a week and the possibility that the alignment is not perfect first time.
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How long does the recovery take after squint surgery?
Most children are back at school within a week. The eye stays pink for two to three weeks. No swimming for two weeks and drops are used for four to six weeks. The orthoptist reviews at one to two weeks and again at three to six months.
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What is a botulinum toxin injection for a squint?
A tiny dose of botulinum toxin is injected under GA into one of the extraocular muscles, weakening it for three to four months. That gives the other muscles a chance to rebalance the eye. It is useful for small squints, new-onset squints, and as a trial before surgery.
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What are adjustable sutures?
In older, co-operative children, the stitches at surgery are tied in a slip-knot rather than a fixed knot. Later the same day, with the child awake and using anaesthetic drops, the surgeon can fine-tune the alignment. It improves the chance of a straight eye first time.
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Will my child need a second operation?
Around 20–30% of children who have squint surgery need a further procedure at some point in their childhood, either because the squint returns or the eye over-corrects. That is planned into the pathway rather than a failure.
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When should I take my child to A&E rather than book a clinic?
A sudden new squint, especially with double vision, a drooping eyelid, headache, vomiting or a white reflex in the pupil, needs same-day medical review. These can point to a cranial nerve palsy, a brain lesion or, rarely, retinoblastoma.
Sources and further reading
- The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Guidelines for the management of strabismus in childhood.
- American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Patient information on strabismus and amblyopia.
- British and Irish Orthoptic Society. Standards for orthoptic practice in childhood strabismus.
- European Strabismological Association (ESA). Consensus statements on strabismus management.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review due 2027-07-30. Reading time about 6 minutes.
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In practice, in London
Booking correcting a squint for children privately in London — what actually happens
For correcting a squint for children, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. The NHS route for correcting a squint for children is thorough, but the queue is real. Most patients we speak with have been told to expect anywhere from a handful of weeks to several months, depending on their local trust and how the referral is graded. Going private in London usually collapses that window to a matter of days — often the same week if the diary allows. It isn’t about jumping a queue so much as buying time back while you still have the flexibility to plan around it.
The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For correcting a squint for children in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
There are a lot of consultants in London who can technically handle correcting a squint for children. Fewer who do it week in, week out for the exact question you’re bringing. We spend most of our time working out which is which — and being straight when a different test or a different specialist would serve you better. Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about fit, not floor.