Common Eye Conditions in Children:
Symptoms and Treatment
Eye conditions are common among children. These issues can range from minor to severe, depending on the
condition and how quickly it is treated. Examples of these conditions include squint, astigmatism, short-sightedness, amblyopia (lazy eye),
and long-sightedness. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms and treatments for each of these conditions.
Squint occurs when one or both eyes turn inward or outward. This condition can cause headaches, and
double vision and typically affects both eyes. The treatment for squint includes patching one eye for some time to
strengthen the weaker eye muscle or glasses with prisms to help focus both eyes together. Surgery may also be an
option if none of the other treatments are successful.
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea which prevents light from focusing correctly onto the retina.
It can cause headaches, blurred vision, tired eyes, and difficulty seeing objects close up or far away.
Treatment involves glasses with corrective lenses to help focus light properly onto the retina as well as contact lenses if
desired by the patient. Refractive surgery is also an option but should only be considered after other treatments have been
exhausted as it carries a higher risk than other treatments.
Short-sightedness is a refractive error where objects appear blurry at a distance but clear up when viewed
closer up.It can cause eye strain, headaches, difficulty seeing objects at a distance, and difficulty seeing at night
due to glare from headlights or street lamps.
Treatment includes corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses to help focus light properly onto the retina as well as laser surgery if
desired by the patient which carries a higher risk than other forms of treatment so it should only be considered after all other
options have been exhausted first.
Long-sightedness is another refractive error where distant objects appear clear while near objects appear blurry
due to light not focusing correctly onto the retina of the eye causing eyestrain, blurred vision, and headaches when viewing
close-up objects such as books or computer screens.
Treatment includes corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses to help focus light properly onto the retina as well as laser surgery if
desired by the patient which carries a higher risk than other forms of treatment so it should only be considered after all other
options have been exhausted first.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) is caused by one eye having reduced vision due to lack of use compared to its normal sibling eye during
childhood development stages that cause it not to work correctly with its partner leading to decreased depth perception and
overall visual coordination between both eyes making tasks such as reading difficult without correction from glasses containing
prisms or special filters that force both eyes work together in unison again.
Surgery may also be required in extreme cases when no other methods prove successful in improving sight quality in one eye
over time alongside prolonged patching therapy for affected children aged 5 - 15 years old who suffer from lazy eyes.
Conclusion: Taking care of your child’s eyesight is important for their development into adulthood – it’s essential that any
symptoms of any of these common eye conditions are monitored closely and treated early on before they become more serious
problems later down life’s road.
By being aware of these signs, you can ensure your child has access to better quality vision throughout their lifetime while
maintaining healthy levels of physical activity, social interaction & learning capabilities that come with good healthy eyesight.
If you suspect your child may have any one of these conditions, please consult your optometrist right away!
They will provide you & your family with the necessary advice & guidance towards helping your child maintain & improve the
precious gift we call our vision!
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