What Is Pediatric Ophthalmology

At what age should a child's eyes be examined for the first time?

Pre-term children with a birth weight of less than 1500gr should be examined around the fourth week after birth to exclude or confirm the existence of retinopathy of prematurity. These individuals should be continuous monitored throughout their childhood.

Children with hearing deficits, muscle problems and neurological deficits should be examined as soon as possible.

Children with a family history of strabismus or amblyopia should be tested around the age of 2 years. Normal children are tested by their pediatrician with regard to visual function and are referred to the pediatric ophthalmologist if there is a problem. If at time parents feel that something is wrong with their child's eyes, they may ask for the advice of a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Case : My daughter suffering near sightedness, and her power keeps on changing, how can we stop it?

As we age, changes in the shape and flexibility of the eye's lens can cause changes in vision, including an increase in eye power. However, there are several steps you can take to potentially slow or prevent further increases in eye power. These include:

• Getting regular eye exams: Regular eye exams can help detect changes in vision early on, allowing for timely intervention.
• Taking breaks from screen time: Prolonged periods of screen time can strain the eyes and contribute to changes in vision. Taking regular breaks can help reduce this strain.
• Practicing good eye hygiene: This includes things like washing your hands before touching your eyes and avoiding rubbing your eyes excessively.
• Eating a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help support eye health.
• Wearing proper eyewear: Wearing proper eyewear, such as glasses or contact lenses, can help reduce strain on the eyes and prevent further changes in vision.

It's important to note that these steps may not completely stop increases in eye power, but they can help slow the progression and promote overall eye health. It's always a good idea to consult with an eye doctor for personalized advice and guidance.

Case : Is there a problem that my child sits very close to the TV?

Most children love to watch TV close up. If there are no other findings, such behavior is considered normal.

Case : My child does not speak or do not recognize letters and numbers, how will he be tested?

Visual function is often indirectly concluded from behavior. There are tests that do not require the child's verbal confirmation. Most times the comparison of the two eyes it is more important. In older children, who are able to speak, games or cards are used to test their vision. Also, there are objective tests to check vision at any age or the need for corrective spectacles without the need of the child's response.

The complete anatomical examination of the bulb by the pediatric ophthalmologist will reveal anatomical abnormalities that may affect the child's vision.

Case : My child is cross-eyed. Will he overcome this problem?

Pseudostrabismus is the most common reason for referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Most young children give the impression that their eyes are turned toward the nose. This is due to their head being small and large base of the nose, which hides part of the white of the eye on the side of the nose. As the child grows this cross-eyed impression ceases to exist. This led to the misconception that the child can overcome the problem (pseudostrabismus). When there is true strabismus, however, the child needs help from the pediatric ophthalmologist because the problem will not go away on its own.

Case : My child complains of headaches. Could it be due to his eyes?

There are various causes of headache. The examination must be started by your pediatrician. Most pediatricians will also refer the child to a pediatric ophthalmologist for the examination of eye disorders. An eye assessment may give an interpretation of the headaches even though in most cases these are not caused by eye problems.

Case : I have hyperopia and my husband has myopia. Will my child need glasses?

The children's eyes resemble those of their parents. If parents wore glasses in kindergarten, children must be examined before the age of three, unless they are cross-eyed or there is suspicion of visual impairment and therefore should be examined as soon as possible. School myopia usually begins in elementary school and detected by the child or the pediatrician.

Case : My child has difficulty reading, is there a problem with his eyes?

Dyslexia and related problems are usually encountered by specialist psychologists. On occasion an ophthalmological assessment is required to exclude visual problems, which are rare.