PAEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY
OVERVIEW
Paediatric ophthalmology involves the diagnosis, treatment and management of eye conditions in children. An eye examination at an early age may help identify vision-related problems before they develop further. Many newborn babies and children experience eye problems, and the sooner these are detected, the better the outcome of treatment.
With this in mind, it is important that parents make eye tests a standard part of their child’s healthcare routine.
EYE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN
- STRABISMUS
Also known as squint eye, this is a condition where one or both eyes point in different directions. Strabismus is one of the most common eye problems in children and may lead to loss of vision in the affected eye if not treated. Strabismus may be congenital (present at birth) or occur due to a refractive error(poor vision requiring spectacles) in the eye. - TREATMENT FOR STRABISMUS
The ophthalmologist will conduct an eye examination to diagnose the conditions. Some strabismus can be corrected with spectacles whilst other types require surgical correction. Should it be determined that your child requires surgery, strabismus repair surgery may be recommended.
During the procedure, general anaesthesia will be administered so that the child will be asleep and pain-free. Incisions will be made to allow the ophthalmologist access to the eye muscles, which will be cut or repositioned to align the eyes correctly. The incisions will be closed using dissolvable stitches.
- ALLERGIC OCULAR SURFACE DISEASE
This is a group of eye diseases that occur as a result of an allergic reaction. Allergic conjunctivitis may cause symptoms such as red eyes, intense itching of eyes accompanied by an urger to rub the eyes, swollen glands, and watery or white, stringy mucus discharge. - TREATMENT FOR EYE ALLERGIES
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to help reduce the occurrence of relapses and prevent severe sight-threatening complications. The ophthalmologist will examine the child before determining the best line of treatment. Eye drops, ointments and antibiotics may be necessary. In some cases, steroid drops or ointments may also be prescribed.
FAQ
1How often should my child see an ophthalmologist?
To maintain good eye health, your child’s paediatrician will examine their eyes regularly. If suspicious symptoms develop, an ophthalmologist will be recommended.
2Is a squint a serious medical condition or just cosmetic?
A squint, if left untreated, eventually leads to what is commonly known as lazy eye (amblyopia). This is a condition in which the vision in the affected or “lazy” eye becomes permanently decreased with little to no hope of future visual recovery. For this reason, squints must be treated as early as possible and should not be dismissed as being simply cosmetic.
3What causes eye allergies?
Eye allergies are caused by irritants in the environment such as cat and dog hair, dust mites, pollen from plants and flowers. As a result of this, eye allergies can not be managed by allergen avoidance, as is the case with food allergies, but generally require long term medical treatment with eye drops.