Understanding Pediatric Ophthalmology
Pediatric ophthalmology is a specialised branch of ophthalmology in medical science that focuses on the treatment of children’s eyes. Pediatric ophthalmologists are medical professionals who are trained to identify and treat eye diseases in children.
Importance of child eye care
The eyes of children are like little stars that play a vital role in vision, learning and overall physical and mental development by working with the brain. They are not just smaller versions of adult eyes; they have different needs and conditions that require special care. Several eye problems begin in childhood without any obvious signs and can cause serious eye diseases or permanent blindness if not taken seriously. Early care for the eyes ensures bright vision for a clearer and more confident future. So, one should consult paediatric ophthalmologists immediately after observing some discomfort or vision problems occur in their children.
Common eye complications
The following eye problems of children need immediate medical attention.
- Squint eyes( Strabismus or crossed eyes)- Misalignment of the eyes due to weak coordination between the brain and eyes.
- Refractive vision errors - These are Myopia ( nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism ( irregularly curved cornea), which prevent light from focusing on the correct part of the retina.
- Lazy eye (Amblyopia) - Reduced vision in one eye due to poor visual development.
- Conjunctivitis (Joy Bangla or Pink eye) - Highly contagious and caused by bacterial infection.
- Blocked tear duct - Excessive tearing or discharge due to poor drainage of tears.
- Nystagmus - A congenital or acquired eye disease characterised by involuntary back-and-forth eye movement.
- Retinopathy of prematurity- A congenital disease caused by premature birth and low birth weight.
- Ptosis - Dropping of the upper eyelids due to poor functioning of eyelid-lifting muscles.
- Paediatric cataracts- The clouding of the eye's lens, which affects the eyes of children as well as adults.
- Congenital Glaucoma- It can occur in kids like adults due to high pressure in the eyes.
- Eye injury- Scratches, cuts, foreign bodies and trauma during playing or daily activities.
- Trachoma- A bacterial infection that causes roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids.
- Night blindness and colour blindness- Difficulty in seeing at night and differentiating colours due to a deficiency of vitamins or a disorder in internal tissues.
Eye exams
Generally, children cannot tell about the discomfort of their vision because they don’t know what “normal” vision looks like and assume that everyone sees it that way. That is why eye exams are very crucial in detecting problems early for effective treatment.
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