At Park Slope Eye, we understand that children may have special needs when it comes to maintaining their visual health. Their young, sensitive and developing eyes, in fact, make them more likely to develop vision problems. Here, your trusted pediatric eye doctor discuss some common vision issues.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is a vision disorder characterized by one eye having a different visual acuity than the other. This causes focus and alignment errors, forcing the brain to ignore signals coming from the weaker eye. As a result, this eye gradually loses its function, which is why this condition is also referred to as “lazy eyes.”
Since amblyopia is often a complication of strabismus, also known as “crossed eyes”, it’s a good idea to watch out for signs of this problem with your kids. Check if there are any irregularities whenever they are looking at an object. For example, one eye may be looking straight while the other one is turned sideward.
Childhood Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsightedness happens when the distance between the front and back parts of your child’s eye is too wide, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina. They may see distant objects as blurry while their close-range eyesight remains clear. Since their eyesight is an essential component of their learning, we may prescribe using corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve their visual acuity.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Pink eye is a contagious ocular infection that may be caused by a bacteria, virus, or allergen. It causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane lining the inside part of your eyelids. Your children may complain of watery, itchy and red eyes when this happens. In some cases, their eyes may also swell and produce discharges
Some conjunctivitis cases, especially those caused by allergies, may have similar symptoms with dry eye disease. This is why our management may be similar with that of dry eye treatment, which includes applying artificial eye drops for your children’s improved visual comfort. For viral and bacterial causes, it may be best to let them stay at home for three to seven days. This is also an effective way to prevent the infection from spreading. We may prescribe medications as necessary, as well.
If you have any further questions about common childhood eye conditions, complete our form to request an appointment. We serve Brooklyn and nearby NY areas.
