Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr.

Murali Mohan Gurram

COMMON EYE PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN 1. Refractive errors (Glasses): These are seen in school going children. Our eyes are living cameras. The structure of eye is similar to camera. Our eye has a lens and a film (retina). A camera takes a good picture when the film is at the right place, so that the light rays focus exactly on it. When the film is in a different position (either in front or behind the normal position) we get blurred images. Similarly, our eye has retina which is in right position so that the light rays are focused exactly on it. In some people this focusing becomes faulty and light rays focus either in front of retina or behind the retina. Then the child gets blurred vision. When the light rays focus in front of retina its called Myopia(Short sight). Here the child can read near objects but not far off letters e.g letters on black board. This is corrected by Minus lenses. When the light rays focus behind the retina , its called Hypermetropia(long sight). The child cannot see the near objects. This is corrected by Plus lenses. There is another type of refractive error called Astigmatism, which is little complicated.

When the child has refractive error, he usually doesnot notice the defect as his other eye is seeing normally. If either of parents are wearing glasses, they should get their child tested regularly for refractive errors. If both eyes have refractive error, childs vision gets blurred.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

The signs which should rise the suspicion of child having refractive error: a. Child copying from the friends book, rather than from blackboard. b. Constant rubbing of eyes. c. Recurrent swellings on the eyelids. d. Child falling back in exams. e. Squinting. f. Child losing interest in studies. If the child shows any of above, he should be tested by ophthalmologist to rule out refractive errors. Refractive errors are corrected with glasses.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

If the child has refractive error, and if it is not corrected before 10 years of age, there are chances that the child can lose vision permanently. This is called amblyopia. Child with myopia should also undergo retinal evaluation, as they have more chances of developing retinal breaks and retinal detachment which is blinding disorder. 2. Watering of eyes: a normal child in first couple of years can have watering of eyes. They can also show some discharge occasionally. Our eyes have a tear film layer on it, which keeps it moist and nourished. The tears are secreted by a tear gland. The tears will flow out of eye to the nose through a duct (pipe) which connects eye to the nose. This duct is usually blocked after birth. It takes few months for it to open. Till then the tears have no route to go to nose. Therefore they come out as watering.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

This is a simple problem, which usually gets resolved by itself. Massaging is required to open the duct. You have to approach your ophthalmologist for the correct technique of massaging.

3.Conjunctivitis: This is common when the child is first sent to school. Child is exposed to new organisms from other children and environment. This leads to various infections. Child will have redness of eyes, discharge from eyes, sticky eyelashes, difficulty in opening the eyes in the mornings. Usually it starts in one eye and then spreads to other eye. It is treated with antibiotic eyedrops. Parents should see that other children do not use the materials used by the affected child, which can spread the infection to the whole class.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

4. Squint (Cross eyes): it is common for children to have deviation of eyes in the early years of life. Normally our eyes are kept straight by muscles which are attached to eyeball. These muscles need nerve impulses to work properly. In the early days of life, these nerve and muscle processes are still under development. So its not uncommon to see deviation of eyes in such period.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Children Eye Problems: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

Usually it is not serious and gets corrected by itself. Your eye specialist will decide whether its a serious one or mild one. It is usually treated by Eye exercises or glasses. Rarely does it require surgery. 5. Allergic conjunctivitis: It is quite common in children. If your childs eyes are watering, if your child is constantly rubbing his eyes,if his/her eyes lack lustre and become grayish or brownish, he/she may be having allergic conjunctivitis. Usually it is seen in both eyes, but can present in single eye also. The allergic agent is usually dust and pollen. It is almost impossible to detect exact allergen. Some times ,the body itself can be the source of allergy, without any external agent.The disease is episodic, in the sense, it appears, and gets relieved by medications, to appear later. There are some drugs to prevent recurrences , but still recurrences usually do occur.The allergic capacity of the body decreases after puberty, and thus , the attacks of allergic conjunctivitis, and its severtiy, tends to decrease by age.

(Thanks for google images for providing me the sources of images)

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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