There are numerous conditions and diseases that can affect a child's vision. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to maintain the child's eye heath.
Amblyopia
Also known as Lazy Eyes
Reduced vision in an eyethat results from misalignment of the eyes(strabsiums),need for glass (refractive errors, or disruption of light passing through the eye (e.g. pediatric cataract)
if recognized early, Amblyopia responds well to the treatment
if recognized later, amblyopia is much more difficult to treat and the child may have permanent vision loss.
Signs and symptoms to watch for include misaligned eyes, squinting one eye, bumping into objects or other signs of poor depth perception, head tilting, and double vision.
Therapy can include glasses, patching, eye drops, and sometimes surgery
Astigmatism
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Refractive Errors
It is a condition in which objects at both distance and near appear blurred
It results from uneven curvature of the cornea and/or lens which prevents light rays entering the eye from focusing to a single point on the retina, thereby causing blur
It can often occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)
It can be corrected with glasses having cylindrical power
Hyperopia or Farsightedness
It is a condition where a person can see distant objects more clearly than near objects
Typically the farsighted eye is smaller than normal. As a result, light rays do not focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye and causes blur
Hyperopia can be inherited
Infants and young children are typically somewhat farsighted, but this lessens as the eye grows
Infants and young children are typically somewhat farsighted, but this lessens as the eye grows
Some children can have higher amounts of hyperopia which can cause a constant blurry image in one or both eyes and prevent normal visual development
If not recognized early, this can result in permanent visual loss
Also, higher than normal amounts of hyperopia in children can cause inward crossing of the eyes (typically between 2 – 7 years of age) and treatment with eyeglasses can correct the eye misalignment (strabismus)
Myopia or Nearsightedness
It is a condition where a person can see near objects more clearly than distant objects
A myopic eye causes light from distant objects to be focused before they reach the retina and results in blurred vision for distant objects
Excessive myopia in children can result in lazy eye (amblyopia)
Holding objects very close and squinting may indicate significant myopia
Cataract
A cataract is a cloudiness or opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye
Depending on the size and location, the cataract can interfere with light passing to the retina and cause blurred vision
Cataracts are typically associated with older adults, but cataracts can occur at birth or during childhood
Early detection and treatment of cataracts are critical in infants and young children in order to restore normal visual development
A white area in the pupil and misalignment of the eye can be a sign of cataract Pediatric cataracts that significantly obstruct vision require surgery
Patients subsequently require treatment with eyeglasses, bifocals, or contact lenses, and eye-patching
Often, pediatric cataracts result in some degree of lazy eye (amblyopia)
Childhood Tearing
Epiphora is the term for excessive tearing.
Childhood epiphora is often noted soon after birth, but can be acquired later.
When noted during infancy, it is usually due to blockage of the tear drainage system.
This type of tearing often improves spontaneously by 6-12 months of age.
Medical treatment includes tear sac massage and eye drops, but if tearing persists, surgical probing of the drainage system may be required.
Other rare causes of childhood tearing include pediatric glaucoma and ocular surface disease.
Childhood Tearing
Epiphora is the term for excessive tearing.
Childhood epiphora is often noted soon after birth, but can be acquired later.
When noted during infancy, it is usually due to blockage of the tear drainage system.
This type of tearing often improves spontaneously by 6-12 months of age.
Medical treatment includes tear sac massage and eye drops, but if tearing persists, surgical probing of the drainage system may be required.
Other rare causes of childhood tearing include pediatric glaucoma and ocular surface disease.
Double vision (diplopia)
It is typically caused by misalignment of the eyes (strabismus)
It causes one to see an object in two different places at the same time
The object can be displaced in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal fashion
Double vision can result from many conditions and should be evaluated at the time of onset
Treatment for double vision can include prism glasses, strabismus surgery, and Botox injection
Double vision (diplopia)
It is typically caused by misalignment of the eyes (strabismus)
It causes one to see an object in two different places at the same time
The object can be displaced in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal fashion
Double vision can result from many conditions and should be evaluated at the time of onset
Treatment for double vision can include prism glasses, strabismus surgery, and Botox injection
Developmental Abnormalities
During development of the fetus, abnormalities in the visual system can occur
Some developmental abnormalities include coloboma, microphthalmia (small eye), and optic nerve hypoplasia
These abnormalities often result in vision loss
Genetic Eye Disease
Many eye diseases have a known genetic abnormality
These diseases are often inherited and frequently there are other family members who have had the disease
In cases of known inherited eye disease in the family, early evaluation is important.
Pediatric Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that is associated with the high pressure within the eye
This pressure can damage the optic nerve, which is critical for vision, resulting in permanent vision loss
It is a rare condition that can present in the newborn or during childhood
Signs and symptoms of pediatric glaucoma include cloudy cornea, tearing, frequent blinking, light sensitivity, and redness of the eye.
Nystagmus
It is an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes
The eye movements can be side-to-side, up and down, or rotary
Nystagmus may be present at birth or acquired later in life
It may result from abnormal binocular fixation early in life
It also may accompany a number of eye disorders and neurological disorders
Pediatric Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that is associated with the high pressure within the eye
This pressure can damage the optic nerve, which is critical for vision, resulting in permanent vision loss
It is a rare condition that can present in the newborn or during childhood
Signs and symptoms of pediatric glaucoma include cloudy cornea, tearing, frequent blinking, light sensitivity, and redness of the eye.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
It is an eye disease that occurs in some premature infants
It results from abnormal development of the blood vessels in the retina
ROP is progessive, starting with mild changes and sometimes progressing to severe, sight-threatening changes
Most infants with ROP improve spontaneously, but some develop severe changes that require treatment with a laser
Complications of ROP can include strabismus (eye misalignment), myopia (nearsightedness), cataract, and, in severe cases, blindness from retinal detachment
Premature infants at risk of ROP are identified in the hospital and enrolled in a routine screening protocol
Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
It occurs in both children and adults
Children can be born with ptosis (congenital) or acquire it during childhood
It is caused by weakness in the muscle that elevates the eyelid
A droopy eyelid can block light passing to the retina in the back of the eye and/or create significant astigmatism that produces a blurry image in the affected eye
These situations cause lazy eye (amblyopia) and, if untreated, can result in permanent loss of vision
Also, children may develop a chin-up head position due to the droopy eyelid
If the ptosis is significant, surgical correction may be necessary
Cortical visual impairment (CVI)
It is vision loss due to any abnormality of the visual center in the brain
The eyes are normal, but the visual interpretation center in the brain does not function properly and prevents normal vision.