As children grow and develop, their Vision is an essential component that must be carefully monitored. Early detection of eye infections and diseases is crucial for children’s visual development and overall health. Regular eye check-ups and awareness are necessary to diagnose the disease properly. 

By making it a routine, we can preserve and optimise a child’s vision for their future success and happiness. Here, we will explore the 10 most Common Eye Diseases in children, including symptoms to look out for and treatment options available. 

If you are searching for a reliable eye treatment hospital, Bansal Hospital Bhopal is a great option. Their team of skilled and experienced medical experts can provide your child with the necessary treatment. Moreover, Keep reading to gain more knowledge about Eye Diseases in children.

Table of Contents

1. What Are Pediatric Eye Conditions?
2. What Are Some Common Eye Diseases In Children?
3. When To See A Doctor? 
4. The Final Say
5. FAQs
6. References

What Are Pediatric Eye Conditions?

Pediatric eye conditions are eye problems that affect children. These conditions can occur at birth or develop later in childhood. Some common pediatric eye conditions include lazy eyes, crossed eyes, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

A lazy eye happens when one eye is weaker, causing poor vision. Crossed eyes occur when the eyes do not align properly. Nearsightedness means a child can only see things close up, but distant objects appear blurry. Farsightedness causes difficulty seeing things up close. Astigmatism causes blurry or distorted vision. To prevent these disorders, a routine eye checkup is necessary.

What Are Some Common Eye Diseases In Children?

Some of the common eye diseases in children include:

1. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia is an eye condition that disturbs clear vision in both eyes. It typically occurs during early childhood and can worsen if left untreated.

1. Causes Of Amblyopia

It can be caused by Strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes).

2. Symptoms Of Amblyopia

• Eyes that do not seem to work together
• Poor depth perception
• Squinting or shutting one eye
• Favouring one side of the body

3. Treatment Of Amblyopia

Some treatment options are:

• Wearing an eye patch
• Wearing glasses can correct refraction errors that cause amblyopia.
• Medicated eye drops
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) surgery

2. Strabismus (Crossed Eye)

Strabismus (misaligned eyes) is a condition in which one eye is turned in a direction that’s different from the other eye. It Is usually found in children but can also happen in adults. 

1. Symptoms Of Strabismus (crossed eye)

• Tilting or turning your head
• Headaches
• Difficulty reading
• Eye strain

2. Causes Of Strabismus

Poor neuromuscular control of your eye movement is the primary cause of Strabismus.

3. Treatment Of Strabismus

Some treatment options are:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Prism lenses
• Orthoptics (eye exercises)
• Eye drops, ointments or injections of botulinum toxin type A
• Patching.
• Eye muscle surgery

3. Refractive Errors

It is an eye disorder that makes it challenging to see correctly. It is one of the most common eye disorders in children.

1. Cause Of Refractive Errors

It is caused when the shape of the eye restricts the light from focusing correctly on the retina.

2. Symptoms Of Refractive Errors

• Squinting
• Eye strain
• Pain in Eyes
• Blurry vision either up close, at a distance or both
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Headaches

3. Treatment Of Refractive Errors

Some treatment options are:

• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Refractive surgery (severe cases)

4. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Pink eye is an inflammation which causes redness of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a clear tissue on the inside surface of your eyelid and an outer coating of your eye.

1. Cause Of Conjunctivitis

Viral or bacterial infection often causes pink eye or an allergic reaction.

2. Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis 

The symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

• Itchy eyes
• Burning eyes
• Blurred vision
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Swollen eyelids

3. Treatment Of Conjunctivitis 

Treatment depends on the cause of conjunctivitis. Antibiotics or antiviral medications may be prescribed, or home remedies can alleviate viral or allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.

5. Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)

“Ptosis” is an eye disorder which means drooping. When the upper eyelid droops, it is known as blepharoptosis or upper eyelid ptosis.

1. Causes Of Ptosis

Ptosis can occur at birth or due to muscle weakness or nerve damage.

2. Symptoms Of Ptosis

Blurry vision is the major symptom of ptosis.

3. Treatment Of Ptosis

Surgery may be required to lift the eyelid and improve vision if necessary.

6. Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP)

It is an eye disorder that affects the retina. The retina is the tissue present at the backside of the eye. Light is detected by the retina, which then transmits signals to the brain for visual perception.

1. Causes of Retinopathy Of Prematurity

ROP occurs in premature infants when abnormal blood vessels develop in the retina.

2. Symptoms of Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Symptoms of Retinopathy include poor vision or blindness.

3. Treatment of Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Close monitoring and, if necessary, laser therapy or surgery to prevent vision loss or improve visual outcomes.

7. Congenital Cataracts

A cataract is any clouding or opacity of the lens of an eye. Congenital occurs before birth or during a baby’s first year. A baby with congenital cataracts has clouding in one or both eyes.

1. Causes Of Congenital Cataracts

Congenital cataracts are present at birth and can be caused by genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, or metabolic disorders.

2. Symptoms Of Congenital Cataracts

• Cloudy or hazy vision
• sensitivity to light.

3. Treatment Of Congenital Cataracts

• Surgical removal of the cataract
• Implantation of an artificial lens.

8. Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that affects the eye. It originates in the retina, the layer of nerve cells that lines the back of the eye. 

1. Causes Of Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer primarily affecting young children.

2. Symptoms Of Retinoblastoma

• Eyes that appear to be looking in different directions
• Redness of the eye
• Swelling of the eye
• White pupil or “cat’s eye” reflex
• Crossed eyes, poor vision.

3. Treatment Of Retinoblastoma

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Cryotherapy
• Surgery

9. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a general term that describes a group of eye disorders that damage your optic nerve. It’s the most common optic nerve damage leading to vision loss.

1. Cause Of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterised by increased pressure within the eye, leading to optic nerve damage.

2. Symptoms Of Glaucoma

• Eye pain or pressure
• Headaches
• Rainbow-coloured halos around lights
• Low vision, blurred vision, narrowed vision (tunnel vision) or blind spots
• Nausea and vomiting
• Red eyes

3. Treatment Of Glaucoma

Medications, laser therapy, or surgery may be required to manage intraocular pressure and prevent vision loss.

10.  Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a painless but serious eye condition. It happens when your retina, the layer of tissue at the back of your eye, detaches from the tissues that support it.

1. Cause Of  Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye.

2. Symptoms Of  Retinal Detachment

• Seeing flashes of light
• Seeing a lot of floaters
• Darkening of your side vision
• Shadow covering part of your vision

3. Treatment Of  Retinal Detachment

Immediate surgery is necessary to reattach the retina and restore vision.

When To See A Doctor? 

If your child has any signs or symptoms of eye disease, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately. Timely intervention can greatly impact the outcome of pediatric eye disease. Regular eye check-ups and preventive measures may be necessary in these cases.

The Final Say

Finally, common eye conditions require attention and timely intervention to ensure optimal visible development and prevent long-term complications. Early detection and proper management of situations, which include amblyopia, Strabismus, refractive mistakes, congenital cataracts, and various other eye diseases, are crucial. 

Regular eye checkups, awareness of signs and symptoms, and proper medical treatment are essential to prevent paediatric eye disease. You can contact the ophthalmology department of the Bansal Hospital Bhopal if you need any consultation or treatment. 

FAQs

1. How are paediatric eye diseases diagnosed?

Regular eye checkups can diagnose paediatric or childhood eye conditions.

This test may include a visual acuity test, eye movement evaluations, refraction test and assessment of the eye’s structure and alignment. 

2. Can paediatric eye diseases be treated?

Certain eye diseases can be treated and managed well with appropriate medical intervention. Treatment options depend on the specific condition and its severity.

3. When should a child have their first eye examination?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that children have their first comprehensive eye examination at around 6 months. This examination helps identify any eye health issues or refractive errors early on. If no problems are found, another check-up is generally recommended at 3 years of age and before starting school, around 5-6 years old.

References

Common Eye Disorders and Diseases | CDC

Prevalence of ocular morbidity among children aged 17 years or younger in eastern India – PMC (nih.gov) 

Childhood Eye Diseases and Conditions – American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)

7  Common Pediatric Eye Conditions – Optometrists.org

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