In a child’s early years, eye health is crucial since they are rapidly growing and developing. Nearly 20% of children are diagnosed with eye problems. The children who remain undiagnosed are vulnerable to even more complications as they age.
Diagnosing eye problems early can help reduce potential damage and make pediatric treatment more effective. Therefore, parents should know about the most common eye problems and learn about their symptoms. We’re here to help!
Refractive Errors
Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (irregular curved cornea) are the three most common eye problems found in children. The signs to watch for are:
● Holding digital screens or books very close to the face
● Sitting very close to the television or computer
● Head tilting or squinting
● Eye strain or headache after performing visually demanding tasks
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is also known as lazy eye. It occurs when one eye is weaker than the other and doesn’t achieve normal visual function or acuity. This condition is difficult to diagnose but you can watch out for the following signs:
● Difficulty with focus and attention
● Difficulty doing math, playing sports or reading
● Continually closing one eye
● Recurring eye rubbing
● Head tilting
● Squinting
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)
BVD is caused when both eyes don’t work together due to misalignment. The signs to watch out for include:
● Double vision
● Fatigue
● Headache
● Dizziness
● Light sensitivity
● Stress
● Motion sickness
Convergence Insufficiency
Convergence insufficiency is a binocular vision condition that affects near vision and eye-muscle coordination. It occurs when the eyes are unable to work together to focus on a near object. The signs to watch out for:
● Seeing words jump or move on the page
● Attention and concentration issues
● Reading below grade level
● Blurred vision
● Vertigo or motion sickness
● Double vision
● Homework avoidance
● Fatigue during reading
● Headaches
Nystagmus
Nystagmus can be acquired or congenital. It is characterised by involuntary, quick back-and-forth eye movements. Acquired nystagmus appears in infants after 6 months while congenital nystagmus occurs in the first few months of life.
The only symptom of this condition is the rapid and repetitive eye motions from side to side, in a circle or up and down.
Pediatric Cataracts
This might be surprising but adults aren’t the only ones affected by cataracts. Approximately 20,000 to 40,000 children are born with cataracts around the world every year. The signs usually include:
● Nystagmus
● Difficulty in seeing objects and recognising faces
● Grey or white pupils
● Eyes that point in separate directions
Strabismus
When the eyes are crossed, turned or misaligned, it’s strabismus. If pediatric treatment isn’t done in time, it can lead to permanent vision loss and amblyopia. A misaligned eye may be noticed soon after birth. It can also suddenly appear when the child is 2 years or older. Here are the signs to watch out for:
● An eye that points downward, inward, upward or outward
● Frequent and excessive squinting, particularly in bright light
● Tilting the head to align the eyes
Early diagnosis can help minimise damage in later years. For the best child eye treatment in Patna, schedule an appointment at Laxmi Netralaya for comprehensive eye exams and top-notch pediatric treatments.