Vision is one of the most important senses. Imagine what your world would be like if you had impaired vision as an adult. Now, imagine what your world would be like if you had impaired vision as a child. Adults are able to care for themselves, which means the treatment of a vision problem is something that can easily be attended to. However, children rely on adults for their care. To a child who does not know any better, blurred or otherwise impaired vision may seem normal and thus, the child may never know to ask for help, or may not even know how to ask for help.
Why Eye Care for Children?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has concluded that all children, even those who do not have noticeable problems with their vision, should receive a vision screening prior to turning three- and five-years-old. This suggestion for vision screening is the same for children who reside in Australia, and all over the world. With proper examinations and screening, vision problems in children can be detected and properly treated. This means, of course, that children who do suffer from eye issues will have a better sense of vision.
Without proper eye examinations, problems with vision in children can go unnoticed. If left untreated, these vision problems can progress and can even get to such a dramatic point that the damage is too great to repair.
Types of Eye Problems in Children
There are a range of eye problems that children can experience. Two of the most common are far- and near sightedness. These eye conditions can make it difficult for a child to see either close up or at a distance and can greatly impair their ability to properly see. However, there are several other problems that children can experience with their eyes, including:
- Lazy eye
- Ptosis, or drooping eyelid
- Growths in the eye
- Optic nerve damage
- Corneal ulcer
- Blepharitis, a type of irritation in the eyes
There are also several other conditions that can affect children’s eyes. While you may notice some of these issues by simply looking at a child (crossed eyes, for example), many of them you would have no idea existed, unless you took your child for a proper vision screening.
Treatment of Eye Problems in Children
Once an issue with a child’s vision or eyes is identified, treatment can begin. The type of treatment a child will receive depends on the type of condition he or she has. For example, corrective lenses may need to be used by children who are diagnosed with blurred vision. Children who have red eye or other types of eye irritations may need to use specialized eye drops, including medical eye drops to treat the condition. Still others may require more extreme treatment, such as surgery, to correct the condition of their eyes. You can get such eye drops from brands such as Murine Eye Drops which specialize in eye care solutions for various types of eye ailments.
If you have a child, part of your responsibility as a caregiver is to provide proper health care, which includes eye care. Providing your child with appropriate eye care will ensure that he or she has the best vision possible.