Refractive Errors in Childhood
What is a Refractive Error?
A Refractive Error is a very common eye disorder that takes place when the eye
is not able to focus on images causing your vision to become blurry. There are
various refractive errors and these include -
1. Myopia (Nearsightedness)
In Myopia an image of an object kept at a distance becomes focused in front of
the retina. The most common among the types of refractive errors, myopia enables
distant objects to appear out of focus.
2. Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
In Hyperopia the image of a near-distanced object becomes focused behind the
retina and objects that are close remain out of focus.
3. Astigmatism
Two focal points fall in two different areas because of the abnormal curvature
of the cornea in Astigmatism. Due to this, objects sitting at a close distance
and the ones placed farther away appear blurry. Astigmatism may be combined with
myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Causes
When the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina it
leads to a refractive error. Length of the eyeball (too long or too short),
changes in the shape of the cornea and aging are some factors that cause a
refractive error.
Myopia takes place either because the eyeball axis is too long or on account of
the refractive power of the eye being too strong. It causes headaches and/or eye
strain.
Hyperopia takes place either because of the eyeball axis being too short or
because the refractive power of the eye is too weak. Headaches, eye strain and
fatigue are caused due to hyperopia. A child with hyperopia squints, rubs their
eyes, displays a decreased interest in school or has trouble reading.
Astigmatism takes place because of the abnormal curvature of the cornea and
causes headaches, eye strain and fatigue. Children with astigmatism often engage
in eye rubbing, show a lack of interest in school and experience a difficulty in
reading.
What are the Symptoms of Refractive Errors?
Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, here are some other symptoms you must
watch out for in your child -
1. Holding objects too close to the eyes
2. Clumsy Movement
3. Does not notice things happening at a distance
4. Sitting extremely close to the television set while watching a programme
5. Constantly making mistakes while taking down notes during class
6. Constant eye squeezing while sitting in front of digital devices, television
or the computer
Diagnosis for Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are diagnosed through an eye examination. To prevent the eye
from focusing and compensating for the optical error, dilating eye drops is
used. In doing so, the optical power of the eye is measured in diopters (a unit
of refractive power).
Preventions
A refractive error cannot be prevented. But through early detection and
treatment your child’s vision can get corrected.
Treatments
To treat refractive errors the doctor will prescribe corrective lenses in
glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery depending on the kind of
refractive error.
Takeaway
Your vision develops in the first few years after birth. If your child has a
refractive error, it’s always better to get it detected and treated at an early
age. Otherwise, your child will suffer severe consequences.
What is pediatric cataract: A cataract is the clouding of
the eye's lens. The lens is supposed to be crystal clear to enable smooth visual
inputs to the brain. The lens is the first form of contact with the light. The
light then goes to the brain via the retina. In the case of a cataract, this
light may get scattered due to the lens's cloudiness. When children suffer from
this opacity in their eye's lens, it is known as a pediatric cataract. If left
untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. A pediatric cataract can have
long-term effects on a child's vision.
Causes: Pediatric cataracts can occur due to many reasons.
Depending on the child's family history, a cataract can present itself at birth,
or a child may develop the disorder as he grows. If a cataract is present at
birth, it's known as a congenital cataract. Common causes of a pediatric
cataract are:
● Genetic defect inherited from the parents' genes
● Genetic conditions such as Down syndrome
● Hereditary cataract issues
● Injury to the eye after birth
● Complications during birth
Yet, sometimes, the cause of a pediatric cataract may be unknown.
Symptoms: Cataracts are hard to spot if they are small in size.
Infants can track the objects in their surroundings by the time they reach four
months. If you notice that your baby isn't reacting to light and colors as
he/she usually should, you should immediately schedule an ophthalmologist
appointment.
Diagnosis: A routine screening of the eyes is enough to reach
the diagnosis. However, developmental cataracts may occur after regular
screenings. So, one must be extra careful about their child's vision and notice
their habits carefully.
Prevention: In the case of a family history of cataracts, your
child's doctor will be on the lookout for this disorder. In the case of an
acquired cataract, prevention may not be possible. However, early detection can
help prevent the cataract from progressing into long term vision problems.
Treatment: The treatment of a pediatric cataract depends on the
progression of the disorder. Children with visually significant cataract would
require surgery and those with visually insignificant cataract may be kept under
observation.
Surgery: In the case of an advanced cataract, your doctor may
recommend surgery. The affected lens is replaced with an artificial lens. Or,
the child may have to wear contact lenses or glasses to replace the affected
lens after surgery.
Takeaway: Childhood cataracts are treatable. Children with
pediatric cataracts can go on to have a fully functional life. But the affected
eye(s) may always have reduced vision.
Children and Eye Allergies
What is an Eye Allergy?
An eye allergy takes place when our eyes react to an allergen or a substance
that causes an allergy. Our eyes create a substance known as histamine to kill
the allergen and it makes our eyelids and conjunctiva red, swollen and itchy.
Also known as allergic conjunctivitis, eye allergies are quite common among
children.
Causes
Following are the allergens responsible for the birth of eye allergies.
1. Pollen
Allergies caused due to pollen are typically seasonal. Tree pollen results in
spring allergies, grass pollen causes summer allergies and weed pollen causes
fall allergies. It also depends on what kind of pollen a child is allergic to. A
child could be allergic to a multitude of pollens covering most of the year.
Each seasonal allergy lasts for about 4-8 weeks.
2. Pets
Pet animals like dogs, cats, rabbits and horses carry dander (tiny flecks of
skin). Often pet dander can be spread in the air when these animals move about.
It can also reach into or around our eyes accidentally after touching these
animals. In case you own a pet animal, your child will experience allergic
symptoms all year round if he/she is allergic to animal dander.
3. House Dust
House dust is a combination of pollen, dander, molds and much more. A child who
is allergic to these allergens could experience allergic symptoms throughout the
year.
When a child comes in contact with these allergens, they tend to rub their eyes
excessively as a response. Some of the symptoms they may experience include -
1. Nasal Congestion
2. Runny nose
3. Scratchy throat
4. Cough
5. Itchy Eyes
6. Excessive Eye Rubbing
7. White portion of the eyes turning pink/red
8. Swelling/Redness of the eyelids
9. Glassy-looking or swollen eyes
Diagnosis
Several other eye diseases and inflammatory eye diseases possess symptoms
similar to eye allergies or conjunctivitis like bacterial/viral pink eye and
complication in contact lenses. You must get in touch with your eye doctor to
figure out what the issue could be, so that your child can begin treatment.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on what your child is allergic to and the gravity of
the allergic reaction.
1. Anti-histamine or anti-allergy eye drops will be prescribed by your doctor if
the allergy symptoms are present in the eyes.
2. If the eye allergy is severe, other anti-inflammatory eye drops can be
prescribed to use for a short time to control an acute allergic reaction.
3. If the symptoms include a runny nose or cough, an oral anti-allergy
medication will be prescribed based on your child’s needs.
4. Use a warm, damp, clean cloth to clean off allergens resting on your body and
face.
Prevention
Trying to keep your child away from allergens obviously seems easier said than
done, even though it is the best preventive option. However, what you can do is
consult an eye doctor to discuss the best preventive care option to reduce the
severity of the reaction whenever the eye allergy comes up.
Takeaway
Consult your eye doctor as soon as your child experiences symptoms of an
allergic reaction and try to keep your child away from things that cause the
allergy as much as possible.
Haryana, Ambala