Pediatric Ophthalmology: What exactly is it?
Mon Aug 22 2022
We all know that a child’s eyesight can be influenced by a wide range of eye disorders and diseases. Hence if your child’s pediatrician suspects an eye disease or if your kid fails a vision screening, they can send you to a specialist in eye care for children i.e., pediatric ophthalmologist for additional testing and diagnosis. Are you someone looking forward to knowing more about Paediatric Ophthalmology? Read here in this post.
It is quite well known that early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent vision abnormalities, especially in children as it may impact their well-being and overall development. Hence getting to understand what your problems are is vital.
What Is Pediatric Ophthalmology?
Let’s start with the basic definition of what pediatric ophthalmology is all about. In simple terms, Pediatric ophthalmologists concentrate on the growth of the visual system and the different illnesses that impede visual development in a child. Pediatric ophthalmologists are experts at treating various childhood ocular problems.
The emphasis of pediatric ophthalmology, a relatively recent subspecialty of ophthalmology, lies on children’s eyes until the age of 16, after which human eyes begin to mature. Specialized expertise and methods are required to diagnose a child’s visual needs effectively.
Who Is A Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
As the name suggests, a pediatric ophthalmologist has the skills and credentials to treat your kid if they have an eye condition, are having trouble with a vision screening exam, facing difficulties in reading or learning, or need surgery or medical therapy for an eye condition.
Early detection of vision-related issues in children is facilitated by pediatric ophthalmology. Diseases of the eyes may permanently impair a child’s vision if not addressed within six months of birth. The reason for this is that over the first six months of life, the optic nerve is still forming, and if the eye disorders are not cured during this time, it could result in irreversible damage.
Symptoms To Worry About
Wondering what are the symptoms that will show if your child is having eye-related issues? Well, your kid can suffer at school if they have poor vision. While reading, they could get distracted or decide not to. Their test scores can decline.
Simply put, eye problems don’t usually have evident symptoms. You may observe that:
- Kids frequently rub their eyes
- Frequently blinks or squints
- Have frequent headaches brought on by eye strain
- Tilt their head in that direction
- To see, close one eye
Types Of Eye Problems
Children’s eyes develop as they age, but they also become more susceptible to certain ocular diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to protect your child’s vision. Here are some common eye-related issues.
- Amblyopia
Commonly referred to as Lazy Eye, amblyopia is a condition where the brain does not properly process one eye’s impulses, and over time, the brain begins to ignore them. This prevents the weaker eye from developing its vision and causes long-term visual issues.
- Chalazion
A blocked or swollen oil gland in the eyelid causes a chalazion, a swelling on the upper or lower eyelid. Although it is initially painless, the swelling may sometimes expand to involve the entire eyelid and become uncomfortable if it becomes infected. It may grow larger and cause drooping of eyelid covering the child’s pupil, worsening their vision.
- Nearsightedness
The most frequent eye condition in children and adults, nearsightedness is typically brought on by irregularities on the surface of the eye, preventing light from correctly focusing on the retina and instead focusing ahead of it. It can be treated with prompt diagnosis and the doctor’s recommended glasses or lenses.
- Strabismus
It happens when focusing on an image, the eyes are not correctly aligned with one another and point in separate directions. Children may either be born with strabismus or acquire it as they grow older. However, amblyopia develops if it lasts for a longer time.
- Epiphora
The child suffers from excessive tears or chronically moist eyes. It is brought on by a clog of the tear ducts, an infection, illnesses of the ocular surface, or allergens.
Tips For Pediatric Ophthalmology Care
Many pediatric eye care methods can help kids save their eyes. Here are the three best pediatric eye care tips to keep in mind.
- Give Eyes Rest
It’s advised to take regular breaks every 30 to 40 minutes, whether reading, writing, or using a computer. Reduced use of handheld devices, cell phones, and other electronic devices is also necessary.
- Encourage Outdoor Games
Including more outdoor activities with your child, such as cycling or swimming is advantageous. These leisure activities help your child’s hand-eye coordination and promote physical fitness.
- Say Yes To Healthy Habits
Getting at least eight hours of sleep every night is also significant to avoid your child’s eyes becoming tired. It was discovered that having foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin can help to prevent free radical damage to the eyes. Some kids can prefer using pediatric glasses. These are some of the best children’s eye care tips kids should follow.
Why Choose Centre For Sight?
If your child is suffering from any visual problems, then come in contact with us at Center For Sight. Centre for Sight aims to deliver the highest levels of quality eye care.
Centre For Sight offers comprehensive and cutting-edge eye care services at our facilities. Furthermore, the centre provides amenities on par with international standards and among the best in the nation.
Lastly, CFS is committed to offering the greatest treatment and care, and is affiliated with some of the most renowned ophthalmologists in the nation. Contact us to know more.
Article: Pediatric Ophthalmology: What exactly is it?
Author: CFS Editorial Team | Aug 22 2022 | UPDATED 02:00 IST
*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.