From providing proper nutrition to top-notch education, parents leave no stone unturned to provide their kids with the best. Nonetheless, when it comes to the daily routine, as parents, you may tend to overlook the most crucial aspect sometimes. Sometimes leading to common eye problems in children.
Additionally, have you ever noticed your child squinting while reading? Or that they struggle to focus? Or maybe they tend to complain about blurry vision?
Well, it’s important to know that your little ones aren’t immune to eye problems, and as a parent, you need to stay informed about the common eye care problems in children.
3 most common eye problems in children
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, which are the most common eye conditions in children.
These conditions alter the way the eye focuses light on the retina, leading to blurry vision. If not corrected on time, these errors can cause severe consequences that can affect a child’s vision. Glasses and in a few conditions contact lenses can help correct refractive errors and improve visual clarity.
Prevention and control measures of refractive errors are to increase outdoor activity, decrease screen time, maintain good illumination levels, and proper diet and sleep cycle. Make sure that children do not rub their eyes frequently which can lead to changes in the curvature of the front surface of the eye.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Amblyopia is a condition that occurs because of a lack of proper visual development in the eyes during early childhood, because of uncorrected refractive errors, untreated eye condition, unequal vision, or misalignment of the eyes.
This obstructs the vision development of the weaker eye, which leads to long-term problems. Moreover, if left untreated, amblyopia can lead to permanent vision impairment.
Common symptoms of amblyopia include squinting, eye wandering, head tilting, and more. Lazy eyes can be treated using glasses, eye patches, vision therapy exercises, and eye drops. However, in some cases, surgery might be needed.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis or pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, caused due to allergies, viruses, or bacteria, and is highly contagious. Symptoms of pink eyes include redness, itching or irritation, tears, or sticky discharge.
It can be easily treated with the help of antibiotic eye drops, ointments, anti-allergic medicines, and supportive care. In some cases, uncorrected refractive error leads to frequent eye rubbing which in turn leads to Vernal Kerato Conjunctivitis.
Final words
If you are a parent or a caregiver, it is important to be aware of the common eye problems in children to ensure their proper growth and development.
Moreover, by recognizing the signs and symptoms at an early stage, you can take proactive measures to address the issues and ensure that little ones have the best eye health.
In case you need any medical support for children, you can visit PVRI – the best eye care hospital in Hyderabad. Remember, your child’s eyes are precious and play a vital role in their growth and development.