Pediatric Ophthalmology is a branch of Ophthalmology that deals with the treatment of eye diseases in children aged <16 years.
Why a separate Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic?
Because the type of eye diseases that affect children are different from those affecting adults and treatment methods required in children are also quite different. Moreover,
the eye doctors for children are distinctive and trained differently. [more..]
When and why should a child go for an Eye Check up?
A child should get his eyes checked at
Eye check up should be done if the child:
has crossed eyes
keeps objects close to his eyes
not seeing the chalkboard at the school
things looking blurry or funny
eye that itch, burn, or feel scratchy
getting things hit in the eye
one or both the parents have glasses
It is recommended to have an eye check up even in a seemingly ‘normal child’ 3 years and between the age of 7 and 16 years.
Preventing vision problems and correcting them early is the best way to correct your child’s sight.
what are the Common Eye Diseases in children?
Although any eye disease that affect an adult can affect a child’s eye; most common diseases are:
Refractive errors
Lazy eye disease
Eye injuries
Squinting of eyes
Watering from the eyes
Eye allergies
What is Lazy Eye Disease?
This is a common eye disease affecting nearly 5-10% of the children. In this disease a child cannot see well from one or both the eyes due to uncorrected refractive error or squint. Appropriate treatment at correct time can restore good vision.
Unfortunately, Lazy Eye Disease goes undetected as, children do not complain and parents do not realize it.
What do I do if the child’s eyes go red?
Do not just put any eye drop especially the ones with Steroids. Washing the eye with plenty of water will wash of any foreign body or allergic material. Consult a Pediatric Ophthalmologist soon if the redness persists or if the eye is sore.
What are the treatment options for children who have refractive errors?
Spectacle (glass) is most effective and safest treatment option in children. Contact Lenses can be prescribed in children after age of 12-13 years when they can handle them well and laser correction (LASIK) can be done after age of 18 years once the power in the eyes become constant.
Special glasses and medicines like Pirenzipine are found to be effective in retarding the progression of myopia (near sightedness). There are also methods to reduce the hypermetropia (far sightedness) by assisting the process called emmetropization
