Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the schools and colleges have remained shut for over five months which has adversely affected the students across the country. Although online sessions are being organized for students to continue their education, increased screen time has put eye health in danger.
Along with school supply shopping and purchasing those back-to-school clothing items, it’s time to make comprehensive eye exam appointments for the kids. Conveniently, August is designated as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month!
Kids and adults alike need a thorough eye examination. Optometrists recommend that infants get their first eye examined at 6 months old, they should have additional examinations at age 3 and around age 5 or 6. School going children should get eye examined every year, if no, corrective vision is required.
Rushabh Eye Hospital has the best Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Mumbai on their panel, who not only can give you personalized attention but can properly guide you through the treatment.
How to determine whether a child has an eye disorder?
Your child’s eye doctor can help detect refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism as well as the following diseases:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia) – Abnormal visual development in infants, may end up in less vision. Amblyopia could be a condition where the nerve pathways between the brain and the eye are not properly stimulated, therefore the brain finally ends up favoring one eye. Treatment plans include eye patches, eye drops, and glasses or contact lenses.
- Crossed eyes – This is a condition where the eyes don’t line up properly. Crossed eyes are often corrected with eyeglasses and/or surgery.
- Drooping of the eyelid – The upper eyelid can droop over the eye just a bit, as much as it covers the pupil. It can occur in one or both eyes. Drooping of the eyelid can limit or perhaps completely block normal vision, which might cause amblyopia or strabismus. Most often, doctors recommend surgery to correct drooping of the eyelid.
- Color deficiency (color blindness) – Congenital disorder is tested at the age of four, and it is differentiated into mild, moderate, or severe. Doctors, parents, and teachers can work together to create different forms of lesson plans, together with other strategies to assist the kid deal with the color deficiencies.
There are some specific warning signs that may indicate that your child has a vision problem. Some of these include:
- Family history of vision problems
- Squinting of the eyes
- Turning off the top or neck in unusual ways to read or watch television
- Disinterest in reading or viewing faraway objects
In addition to an eye examination, it is important to safeguard the eyes during sports. Eye injuries are the leading reason for vision loss in children. To shield your child’s eyes, get protective eyewear, during sports or recreational activities. Also, buy age-appropriate toys, and avoid toys with sharp or protruding parts.
If you are suspecting that your child may have a vision problem, you can schedule an appointment at Rushabh Eye Hospital and Laser Centre with our pediatric eye specialist.