Eye care in children

---

Childhood eye problems are common Eyes that 'wander', vision problems, eye infections, and eye injuries all are common among children. You can help protect your child's sight by watching for warning signs and taking your child to a doctor at the first sign of a problem.

Vision problems :
Sometimes a child cannot see objects that are far away (near-sightedness) or objects that are close up (far-sightedness). A child can even be so far-sighted that both nearby and distant objects are fuzzy. If the front of the child's eye is irregularly curved (astigmatism), objects look blurry at all distances. However, these common childhood vision problems can almost always be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, vision problems can lead to amblyopia if not corrected.

Infections and injuries :
Eye infections and injuries are common in children. Viral and bacterial infections spread quickly through classroom and day-care centers. Children can also be hit in the eye or get dirt and other objects in their eyes. Eye infections and injuries need to be treated promptly, as some can cause permanent damage to the eye.

Sometimes a child's eyes do not work together as they should. One eye may be 'lazy', or wander in or out, or up or down (strabismus). Then the brain receives a different image from each eye. The brain may switch back and forth between the two images, or it may turn off one image. If it turns off one image, the child stops using that eye (amblyopia). One eye may wander all the time or only when your child is tired, ill, or looking at nearby objects. Infants' eyes normally wander but if one eye shows signs of wandering past the age of two or three months, your child needs eye care. Treatment may involve patching, eye-drops, glasses, or surgery.

Children's eyes change rapidly, and problems can occur at any age. That is why it is important to observe your child's eyes and to pay attention to how your child acts and what he or she says.

Listen to what the child says :
Once your child is school-age, he or she may be able to tell you about eye problems. Listen for mention of the following:

Anything unusual in the way your child's eyes appear can be a sign of a problem. Watch for the following:

Unusual behavior can sometimes be a sign of an eye problem. Watch your child for any of the following warning sign:

Childhood eye problems do not go away on their own, but most will not damage sight if treated early. Take your child to an eye doctor or to your pediatrician or family doctor as soon as you spot a problem. Your doctor can check your child's eyes at any age.

Headaches and dyslexia (an inability to recognize letters and words) usually are not caused by eye conditions. However if either is a problem, your child should have an eye examination to rule out eye-coordination or vision problems.

Your child may be afraid of an eye examination and may not cooperate. You can help by telling your child what to expect: