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What is Paediatric Eye Disease?

Pediatric eye disease, also known as pediatric ophthalmic conditions or pediatric eye disorders, refers to a group of eye problems and visual abnormalities that affect infants, children, and adolescents. These eye conditions can vary in their nature and severity and may impact a child's visual development and overall eye health.

Symptoms 

The symptoms of pediatric eye diseases can vary depending on the specific condition and the age of the child. Some common symptoms that may indicate the presence of a pediatric eye disease include:

  • Excessive Tearing: Infants with blocked tear ducts may have constant tearing or discharge from one or both eyes.

  • Red or Irritated Eyes: Redness, inflammation, or persistent eye rubbing may indicate an eye infection or other eye problem.

  • Squinting: Squinting, closing one eye, or covering an eye to see better may be a sign of refractive error, amblyopia, or strabismus.

  • Frequent Eye Rubbing: Frequent or excessive eye rubbing can be a sign of eye discomfort or an attempt to clear vision.

  • Abnormal Eye Alignment: Crossed or misaligned eyes (strabismus) may be evident, especially when looking at objects or focusing.

  • Poor Visual Tracking: Difficulty following objects or tracking moving objects with the eyes.

  • Abnormal Pupil Response: Anisocoria (unequal pupil size) or abnormal pupil reactions to light may indicate an underlying problem.

  • Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia): Extreme sensitivity to light, leading to discomfort or avoidance of bright environments.

  • Holding Objects Close to the Face: Children with refractive errors may hold objects very close to their eyes to see them more clearly.

  • Tilting the Head: Tilting the head to one side consistently may be a sign of strabismus or other visual issues.

  • Delayed Developmental Milestones: Delays in reaching visual developmental milestones, such as making eye contact, following objects, or reaching for objects.

  • Complaints of Blurred or Double Vision: Older children may express difficulties with clear vision, seeing double, or frequent headaches.

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Treatments 

The treatment of pediatric eye diseases depends on the specific condition and its severity. Here are some common treatments for various pediatric eye diseases:

  1. Refractive Errors (Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism):

    • Prescription Eyeglasses: Corrective lenses, such as glasses, may be prescribed to improve vision and correct refractive errors.

  2. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye):

    • Patching Therapy: Covering the stronger eye with a patch to encourage the weaker eye to develop better vision.

    • Atropine Drops: Using atropine drops in the stronger eye to blur the vision, encouraging the weaker eye to work harder.

  3. Strabismus (Crossed Eyes):

    • Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: In some cases, corrective lenses can help manage strabismus.

    • Vision Therapy: A series of exercises and activities designed to improve eye coordination and control.

    • Strabismus Surgery: Surgical correction to realign the eye muscles and straighten the eyes.

  4. Congenital Cataracts:

    • Cataract Surgery: Surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.

  5. Pediatric Glaucoma:

    • Medications: Eye drops or oral medications to lower intraocular pressure.

    • Glaucoma Surgery: Various surgical procedures to improve fluid drainage and lower eye pressure.

  6. Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid):

    • Ptosis Repair Surgery: Surgical correction to lift the drooping eyelid and improve the field of vision.

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Common FAQ's for Paedeatric Eye Disease

1

At what age should my child have their first eye exam?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye exam with a pediatric ophthalmologist or eye care professional at around 6 months of age. Further exams are then recommended at ages 3 and 5, and yearly thereafter.

2

Can pediatric eye diseases cause permanent vision loss?

If left untreated or not managed properly, some pediatric eye diseases can lead to permanent vision loss or visual impairment. Early detection and intervention are critical to improve visual outcomes and prevent long-term vision problems.

3

Can pediatric eye diseases be cured?

The outcome and management of pediatric eye diseases depend on the specific condition. In some cases, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can lead to significant improvement or even resolution of the issue. However, some conditions may require ongoing management to preserve vision and eye health.

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