Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Dr. Prieto recommend screening infants for common eye problems at their regular pediatric appointments, as well as vision screenings for all children starting at approximately three years of age. Some vision problems can be corrected and the effects reversed if detected and treated early. If visual symptoms or other risk factors are found during a vision screening, the child should then be referred to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.
Did you know that one-quarter of school-aged children have vision problems? Eye conditions that may affect children include:
Amblyopia can be prevented or reversed if it is detected early. The treatment of amblyopia first requires attention to the underlying cause. Glasses or contact lenses are prescribed to correct asymmetric refractive errors. Sometimes surgery may be required. If strabismus is present, then amblyopia should first be reversed with occlusion therapy before surgery. Occlusion therapy (usually patching) is itself a cause of amblyopia (“reverse amblyopia”) and therefore children need to be followed carefully.
Strabismus or “crossed eyes” can lead to serious vision problems. It can often be corrected with glasses, or in some cases, surgery.
Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid. The lid may droop slightly, or it may completely cover the pupil. At times ptosis can restrict or block normal vision. Ptosis is repaired surgically.
Refractive Errors occur when the shape of the eye does not refract light properly, so that the image seen is blurred. Refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Refractive errors can be corrected with glasses or, for older children, contact lenses.
Congenital (or inherited) eye disorders are rare, but can be serious. Sometimes a vision problem can signal more serious diseases of other systems of the body, such as diabetes.
Accidental injury to the eyes can happen to anyone and mostly happen to children. To protect children parents should be cautious when purchasing toys or gifts. Games and toys should be appropriate for the child’s age level. Also children should be supervised whenever handling sharp objects such as scissors. Parents should keep all harmful chemicals out of reach. Ordinary household objects can also cause serious eye injury such as paper clips or rubber bands. If a child plays sports, goggles with polycarbonate lenses should be worn especially when playing contact sports.
Screening is key to early detection and effective treatment. Dr. Prieto definitely recommends the use of picture charts for toddlers and preschool kids. They are available in hand held cards as well as distance charts, and although this will miss myopia, it will catch differences between the two eyes in the younger age groups.
This message was brought to you by Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Did you know that one-quarter of school-aged children have vision problems? Eye conditions that may affect children include:
- Amblyopia
- Strabismus
- Ptosis
- Refractive Errors
- Congenital (or inherited) eye disorders
Amblyopia can be prevented or reversed if it is detected early. The treatment of amblyopia first requires attention to the underlying cause. Glasses or contact lenses are prescribed to correct asymmetric refractive errors. Sometimes surgery may be required. If strabismus is present, then amblyopia should first be reversed with occlusion therapy before surgery. Occlusion therapy (usually patching) is itself a cause of amblyopia (“reverse amblyopia”) and therefore children need to be followed carefully.
Strabismus or “crossed eyes” can lead to serious vision problems. It can often be corrected with glasses, or in some cases, surgery.
Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid. The lid may droop slightly, or it may completely cover the pupil. At times ptosis can restrict or block normal vision. Ptosis is repaired surgically.
Refractive Errors occur when the shape of the eye does not refract light properly, so that the image seen is blurred. Refractive errors include myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Refractive errors can be corrected with glasses or, for older children, contact lenses.
Congenital (or inherited) eye disorders are rare, but can be serious. Sometimes a vision problem can signal more serious diseases of other systems of the body, such as diabetes.
Accidental injury to the eyes can happen to anyone and mostly happen to children. To protect children parents should be cautious when purchasing toys or gifts. Games and toys should be appropriate for the child’s age level. Also children should be supervised whenever handling sharp objects such as scissors. Parents should keep all harmful chemicals out of reach. Ordinary household objects can also cause serious eye injury such as paper clips or rubber bands. If a child plays sports, goggles with polycarbonate lenses should be worn especially when playing contact sports.
Screening is key to early detection and effective treatment. Dr. Prieto definitely recommends the use of picture charts for toddlers and preschool kids. They are available in hand held cards as well as distance charts, and although this will miss myopia, it will catch differences between the two eyes in the younger age groups.
This message was brought to you by Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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