 |
|
||||
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY
VISION SCREENING What are the signs that my child may have poor vision? Children don’t usually say their eyes are blurred. To some what they see is “normal” because they never got to experience clear vision. It is helpful to be aware of clues that may indicate decreased vision in a child such as the following:
When these are present a consult with an eye doctor is warranted. We may see possible signs of decreased vision but even some of these may not be noted in a child especially if only one eye has poor vision. A large percentage of children with poor vision are still undetected and untreated. Vision screening is therefore important. It is done in some schools and health centers. If not, the parents may ask their family doctor or pediatrician regarding the status of the child’s vision and if a referral to an eye doctor is warranted. A child may also be brought directly to an eye doctor. It is recommended that screening be done at birth, 6 months, pre school (before 3 years), before school entry (4-6 years), and annually thereafter. AMBLYOPIA What is Amblyopia? Amblyopia is decreased vision in one or both eyes despite the use of corrective lenses without any structural or obvious eye problem. The visual centers of the brain are affected because vision was disrupted during the early stages of visual development (0-7 years) in children. It may be due to errors of refraction, eye misalignment, or visual deprivation due to factors that block vision such as cataracts. It is important to note that amblyopia is preventable and if managed at its early stages reversible. It is therefore important to detect and manage amblyopia as early as possible. The treatment of amblyopia may include wearing proper corrective lenses and/or patching of the better eye to stimulate the eye with poor vision. Sometimes surgery is done to treat the cause of amblyopia. Corrective lenses
Patching
EYE MISALIGNMENT/STRABISMUS How do I know that my child has misalignment of the eye? One way to see if the eyes are aligned is to shine a penlight (2-3 feet away) at eye level, aimed at the bridge of the child’s nose. Note the “corneal light reflex” or the light in the round black part of the eye (pupils). Normally, the light reflex is in the middle of both pupils as seen in the picture.
If the reflexes are centered in one eye and NOT centered in the other, the eye may be misaligned. If the eye is deviated inward or towards the nose it is called esotropia (“pagkaduling”); when the eyes are deviated outward it is called exotropia (“pagkabanlag”). Take note of the light reflexes in the following pictures (centered in left eye and NOT centered in right eye): esotropia
exotropia
Sometimes the misalignment of the eyes only come out occasionally such as when the child is daydreaming, sleepy or tired and usually noted at the end of the day. It is important to take note how often the misalignment occurs. Factors that may cause eye misalignment or strabismus are the following: errors of refraction, eye disorders such as cataracts or any problem which causes poor vision in the eye. It may also be inherited. With proper eye examination of an eye doctor the cause of strabismus may be determined. The earlier it is treated, the higher the chances of a better outcome. Treatment may include wearing of corrective lenses, eye patching, or surgery. |
|
Copyright © 2011 Perfect Sight Eye Center |
Powered by Edsa Hosting |