Most parents know about eye infection in kids, however, there are more common eye conditions from which a child can suffer. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the condition from getting serious and the risk of permanent loss of vision.
5 Common Vision Problems in Kids:
Amblyopia
Also known as “lazy eye,” amblyopia refers to reduced vision in an eye resulting from a misalignment of eyes, disruption of light passing through the eye or a need for glasses. Early detection will ensure a good response to the medication. If the child is above 10 years old, amblyopia would be much more difficult to treat and the child may have permanent vision loss.
Symptoms include head tilting, squinting one eye, poor depth perception, bumping into objects, and double vision. The treatment can include glasses, patching, eye drops, and sometimes surgery.
Refractive errors
Myopia (Nearsightedness) — This eye disease in kids is a condition where they can see near objects clearly as compared to distant objects. It causes light from distant objects to be focused behind the retina, causing blurred vision for distant objects. Excessive myopia in children can result in amblyopia. If the child is holding objects very close or squinting to see distant objects, it may hint myopia.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness) — In this condition, the child can see distant objects more clearly than near objects. Hyperopia can be inherited and it is typical in infants and young children. Some kids may have higher amounts of hyperopia, causing a constant blurry image in one or both eyes and preventing normal visual development. If it is not detected and treated early, it may result in permanent visual loss.
Astigmatism — This is a condition where objects both near and distant appear blurred. The cause of astigmatism is an uneven curvature of the cornea and/or lens, which prevents the light rays entering the eye from focusing to a single point on the retina, causing blurred images. It can occur with myopia or hyperopia.
Childhood Tearing
The term used for excessive tearing is Epiphora. Childhood epiphora often is noted soon after birth, but it is possible for it to occur later, as well. If it occurs during infancy, it would be due to the blockage of the tear drainage system. In many instances, the tearing may improve by 6-12 months of age. It can be treated with eye drops and tear sac massage, however, if the tearing persists, surgical probing of the drainage system may be required.
Childhood Cataract
Cataract refers to the cloudiness of the normally clear lens of the eye. Based on the location and size of the cataract, it can interfere with the light passing to the retina and cause blurred vision. Though it is generally associated with adults, this eye problem in kids may occur at birth or childhood. If detected and treated early, normal vision can be restored. If the vision is significantly obstructed due to cataract, it may require surgery and subsequently can be treated with eyeglasses, bifocals, contact lenses, and eye-patching.
Pediatric Glaucoma
Pediatric glaucoma is a rare condition that may be present in a newborn child or during childhood. Glaucoma is associated with a high pressure within the eye. The pressure can damage the optic nerve and may result in permanent vision loss. Symptoms include cloudy cornea, enlarged eyes, frequent blinking, tearing, redness of the eye and photosensitivity.
Since kids, especially infants, cannot convey clearly if they are experiencing vision problems, you have to be vigilant to notice the same. Keep your child’s eye safe and take them regularly to the doctor for regular eye screening and checkups.
By Aaron Barriga, online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center, an Ophthalmology Center in California. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
