Vision Problems in Children
There are many possible causes of vision problems in children, from infancy up to adolescence. Eye screening is thus an integral part of routine paediatric check-ups so that these conditions can be detected and treated early.
CAUSES
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Refractive errors viz myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia
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Squint...also known as strabismus, this is a misalignment of the eyes and can be managed by eye patches, specially – designed spectacles or surgery
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Congenital cataract
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Congenital glaucoma
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Eye injury
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Retinoblastoma...a malignant tumour that usually appears in the first three years of life.
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Genetic or metabolic diseases....these are usually inherited and may predispose to the development of cataract or retinoblastoma
Many of these conditions are inherited and as such, a child with a family history of these vision disorders should be screened early and regularly. Siblings of the affected child should also be screened thoroughly.
A note about Amblyopia
Also known as 'lazy eye', amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight in early childhood. This may be due to other eye disorders such as refractive errors, squint or other conditions that obstruct vision such as a droopy eyelid or cataract. If untreated, amblyopia can lead to irreversible loss of vision in the affected eye.
SIGNS OF VISION PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN
These include:
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poor visual tracking or following an object
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poor focusing
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constant rubbing of eyes
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light sensitivity
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abnormal alignment or movement of eyes
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chronic redness or tearing
- inability to see distant objects eg road signs, blackboard in class
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sitting too close to the television
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squinting
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a whiteness over the central front portion of the eye, instead of the usual black of the pupil
All these should prompt a thorough check-up with an eye doctor as early detection and treatment would allow for better preservation of sight and in the case of retinoblastoma, may be life-saving as well.
TREATMENT
The treatment will depend on the type of eye disorder detected, and includes:
The eye doctor, working hand-in-hand with the parents or caregivers, will be able to help decide which is the best form of vision correction for the child. There should also be regular follow-ups to monitor any vision changes or review the corrective methods accordingly as the child grows and develops.
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