Deals with eye problems in children.
Children may not complain if they do not see out of one or both eyes. Sometimes the only clue may be poor performance in school as well viewing the blackboard at a very close distance. Hence all children need regular eye checkups at the time of starting school and right through their school years.
Of the many eye problems in children, the most important are refractive errors, squint and amblyopia.
Adult patients suffering from squint and double vision are also examined and treated effectively.
What is Paediatric Ophthalmology?
Paediatric Ophthalmology is a branch of Ophthalmology that deals with the treatment of eye diseases in children aged 16 years and below.
Why a separate Paediatric Ophthalmology Clinic?
Because the type of eye diseases that affect children are unlike those affecting adults and treatment methods required for children are also quite different.
Moreover, eye specialists for children are distinctive and trained especially for their treatment.
When should a child go for an Eye Check up?
A child should go for an eye checkup if the following symptoms are noticeable:
What are the Common Eye Diseases in children?
Although any eye disease that affects an adult can affect a child's eye; some of the most common diseases are:
Refractive errors
Lazy eye disease
Eye injuries
Squinting of eyes
Watering from the eyes
Eye allergies
What is Lazy Eye Disease?
This is a common eye disease affecting nearly 5-10% of children. In this disease a child cannot see well from one or both eyes due to uncorrected refractive error or squint. Unfortunately, Lazy Eye Disease goes undetected as, children do not complain and parents do not realize it. Appropriate treatment at the correct time can restore good vision.
What do I do if the child's eyes go red?
Do not put any eye drop especially the ones with Steroids. Washing the eye with plenty of water will wash off any foreign body or allergic material. Consult a Paediatric Ophthalmologist as soon as possible if the redness persists or if the eye is sore.
What are the treatment options for children who have refractive errors? Wearing spectacles (glasses) is the most effective and safest treatment option in children. Contact Lenses can be prescribed in children after the age of 12-13 years when they can handle them well and laser correction (LASIK) can be done after the age of 18 years once the power in the eyes become constant.
Special glasses and medicines like Pirenzipine are found to be effective in retarding the progression of myopia (near sightedness). There are also methods to reduce hypermetropia (far sightedness) by supporting the process called emmetropization.
How important is the Parent’s role in preparing the child for an eye exam?
Your child may be afraid of an eye exam and may not cooperate but you can help by telling your child what to expect e.g. there won't be any shots, the doctor may put drops in his eyes and that the drops may sting for a few seconds and the vision may get a little blurry but this will go away shortly. The doctor will shine a light in the eyes to see inside them. The doctor may ask the child to name pictures or letters or point to things. He may ask to wear special glasses or sit on a big machine.
What is the Parent’s role?
Pay attention to your child's eyes and behavior. Call the doctor if you notice a problem or if your child complains and have your child's eyes checked at 6 months, 3 years and 5 years intervals and at least once between the ages of 7 and 18.
Correcting vision problems early is the best way to control your child's sight.
What are the abnormal ways that a child sees?
Unusual behavior can sometimes be a sign of an eye problem. Watch your child for the following warning signals:
Closing one eye or turning or tilting the head to see the things.
Squinting to see things at a distance.
Not being able to see things you point out.
Consistently holding objects close to the face or sitting very close to the TV.
Blinking or rubbing one eye a lot.
Running into objects or falling down at night or in places that are not well lit.
Children may not complain if they do not see out of one or both eyes. Sometimes the only clue may be poor performance in school as well viewing the blackboard at a very close distance. Hence all children need regular eye checkups at the time of starting school and right through their school years.
Of the many eye problems in children, the most important are refractive errors, squint and amblyopia.
Adult patients suffering from squint and double vision are also examined and treated effectively.
What is Paediatric Ophthalmology?
Paediatric Ophthalmology is a branch of Ophthalmology that deals with the treatment of eye diseases in children aged 16 years and below.
Why a separate Paediatric Ophthalmology Clinic?
Because the type of eye diseases that affect children are unlike those affecting adults and treatment methods required for children are also quite different.
Moreover, eye specialists for children are distinctive and trained especially for their treatment.
When should a child go for an Eye Check up?
A child should go for an eye checkup if the following symptoms are noticeable:
- Crossed eyes.
- Keeps object close to his eyes.
- Not being able to see the blackboard at school.
- Things looking blurry or funny.
- Feeling an itching, burning or scratchy sensation in the eyes.
- Injury to the eye.
- One or both the parents wear glasses.
What are the Common Eye Diseases in children?
Although any eye disease that affects an adult can affect a child's eye; some of the most common diseases are:
Refractive errors
Lazy eye disease
Eye injuries
Squinting of eyes
Watering from the eyes
Eye allergies
What is Lazy Eye Disease?
This is a common eye disease affecting nearly 5-10% of children. In this disease a child cannot see well from one or both eyes due to uncorrected refractive error or squint. Unfortunately, Lazy Eye Disease goes undetected as, children do not complain and parents do not realize it. Appropriate treatment at the correct time can restore good vision.
What do I do if the child's eyes go red?
Do not put any eye drop especially the ones with Steroids. Washing the eye with plenty of water will wash off any foreign body or allergic material. Consult a Paediatric Ophthalmologist as soon as possible if the redness persists or if the eye is sore.
What are the treatment options for children who have refractive errors? Wearing spectacles (glasses) is the most effective and safest treatment option in children. Contact Lenses can be prescribed in children after the age of 12-13 years when they can handle them well and laser correction (LASIK) can be done after the age of 18 years once the power in the eyes become constant.
Special glasses and medicines like Pirenzipine are found to be effective in retarding the progression of myopia (near sightedness). There are also methods to reduce hypermetropia (far sightedness) by supporting the process called emmetropization.
How important is the Parent’s role in preparing the child for an eye exam?
Your child may be afraid of an eye exam and may not cooperate but you can help by telling your child what to expect e.g. there won't be any shots, the doctor may put drops in his eyes and that the drops may sting for a few seconds and the vision may get a little blurry but this will go away shortly. The doctor will shine a light in the eyes to see inside them. The doctor may ask the child to name pictures or letters or point to things. He may ask to wear special glasses or sit on a big machine.
What is the Parent’s role?
Pay attention to your child's eyes and behavior. Call the doctor if you notice a problem or if your child complains and have your child's eyes checked at 6 months, 3 years and 5 years intervals and at least once between the ages of 7 and 18.
Correcting vision problems early is the best way to control your child's sight.
What are the abnormal ways that a child sees?
Unusual behavior can sometimes be a sign of an eye problem. Watch your child for the following warning signals:
Closing one eye or turning or tilting the head to see the things.
Squinting to see things at a distance.
Not being able to see things you point out.
Consistently holding objects close to the face or sitting very close to the TV.
Blinking or rubbing one eye a lot.
Running into objects or falling down at night or in places that are not well lit.
