Common Paediatric Eye Conditions Simplified

Holding your hands, your child wants to experience the wonders of the world around them. Those tiny eyes follow you everywhere, hoping to see everything you see. However, common paediatric eye conditions can affect their incredible imagination, stifling their growth and development at an early age. As per a study, there are about 70 million vision-impaired people in India, of which 0.24 million are children.

Early detection and prompt treatment can help manage these conditions, ensuring children's eyes are always filled with curiosity and wonder. Let's learn more about common paediatric eye problems to help them see a brighter future.

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

As the term suggests, Strabismus, or crossed eyes, occurs when the eyes are misaligned. It can affect children of all ages and, if not addressed properly, can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye).

Strabismus Simplified

Six tiny muscles help our eyes work together like a team. They let us focus on the same thing. However, in this condition, one eye might look at one thing while the other looks elsewhere. This can confuse the brain, especially for kids. Their brain might just ignore what one eye sees. Strabismus can be of three types: esotropia (inward turning), exotropia (outward turning), hypertropia (upward turning), and hypotropia (downward turning).

• Symptoms: Misaligned eyes, squinting, covering one eye, difficulty tracking objects, and double vision.
• Causes: Strabismus can be genetic or due to an underlying condition. 
• Treatment: Treatment options vary depending on the severity and primary cause. They may include glasses, vision therapy, patching, or surgery.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia is one of the common paediatric eye conditions where one eye becomes weaker due to disuse. It often occurs in conjunction with strabismus but can also develop independently. 

Amblyopia in Simple Terms

The condition is called ‘lazy eye’, as one eye weakens and the brain relies more and more on the stronger eye. It happens due to a breakdown in the coordination between the two eyes. Amblyopia must be treated promptly to prevent permanent vision loss.

• Symptoms: Poor vision in one eye, covering one eye, tilting the head to see.
• Causes: Strabismus, hypermetropia, cataracts, or other eye conditions.
• Treatment: Patching the stronger eye, corrective lenses, or vision therapy.

Refractive Errors

Refractive error is a paediatric eye disease that occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing properly on the retina. Common refractive errors in children include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Let us discuss them one by one:

All About Refractive Errors

1. Nearsightedness (myopia): It is a common refractive error seen in children. An image of a distant object comes into focus before it reaches the retina, either due to the eyeball being too long or the eye's refractive power being too strong. It leads to remote objects seeming out of focus and causes headaches and eye pain. 
2. Farsightedness (hyperopia): As opposed to myopia, hyperopia occurs when the image of a distant object becomes focused behind the retina because the eyeball axis is too short or the eye's refractive power is too low. The condition causes closer objects to seem blurred.
3. Astigmatism: Astigmatism occurs when the cornea has an irregular curvature, leading to two focal points landing in different positions, causing blurriness for both near and far objects. This condition can cause eye strain and often accompanies nearsightedness or farsightedness.

• Symptoms: Common signs include blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches.
• Causes: Genetic factors, excessive screen time, and environmental factors might be responsible for refractive errors.
• Treatment: Glasses or contact lenses can help fix these conditions.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelid. Bacteria, viruses, or allergies can cause it.

Conjunctivitis De-mystified

It is a common eye infection, particularly prevalent in young children. It's an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the eye's white part and the eyelids' inner surface. This inflammation often causes the eye to appear pink or red, hence the nickname "pink eye."

• Symptoms: Redness, itchiness, watery discharge, and sometimes a crusty buildup in the eyelashes.
• Causes: Bacterial infection, viral infection, or allergic reaction.
• Treatment: Treatment depends on the cause. Eye drops are used to treat the condition causing conjunctivitis.

Paediatric Cataracts

Cataracts are clouding of the eye's lens that can affect vision. While more common in adults, cataracts can also occur in children.

Paediatric Cataracts in Simple Terms

A clear lens is essential for the eye to focus images accurately on the retina. This focused image is then transmitted to the brain for interpretation. A cataract can obstruct light from reaching the retina, hindering this process.

• Symptoms: Cloudy or blurry vision, sensitivity to light, poor night vision, and delayed developmental milestones.
• Causes: Cataracts in children can be congenital (present at birth) or develop later due to infections, injuries, or underlying medical conditions.
• Treatment: Early surgery of significant cataract is very important to restore vision in the child.

Blocked Tear Ducts

The tear ducts help drain tears from the eye. A blocked tear duct prevents proper drainage, leading to excessive tearing and discomfort.

Understanding Blocked Tear Ducts in Children

In children, blocked tear ducts occur when the nasolacrimal duct, responsible for draining tears from the eye into the nose, becomes obstructed. This can be due to a congenital issue where the duct is not fully developed or has a persistent membrane blocking its opening.

• Symptoms: Excessive tearing, mucus buildup in the eyes, and eye infections.
• Causes: Blocked tear ducts are common in newborns and usually resolve on their own.
• Treatment: Gentle massage and warm compresses can help unblock the tear duct in most cases. If the blockage persists, surgery may be considered.

A Clear Path to Healthy Eyes for Your Little Ones

Every child deserves to see the world bright and clear. By understanding common eye conditions and scheduling regular check-ups, you're taking proactive steps to ensure healthier eyes for your little one. Remember, early intervention is key to preventing vision problems from becoming bigger hurdles. So, don't blink twice! Give your child the gift of clear sight.

Let Netralaym’s Vision Experts Be Their Superheroes

Common paediatric eye conditions require expert treatment and continued care. At Netralayam, we are committed to providing exceptional paediatric eye care. Our specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and correcting various eye conditions in children. We offer comprehensive eye exams, advanced diagnostic technology, and personalised treatment plans to help secure your child's vision. Book an appointment with us to learn more.