If your child frequently blinks, often has headaches, or gets tired quickly while reading, this might be due to poor vision. Since children may not express vision problems as well as adults, symptoms should be carefully monitored by parents.
Symptoms of Eye Disease in Children
Common symptoms observed in children's eye health disorders include;
- Occasional eye drifting and cross-eyed appearance,
- Excessive rubbing and blinking of eyes,
- Frequent headaches and dizziness,
- Losing the line while reading, going back to the beginning, mixing up letters,
- Inability to concentrate for long periods while studying, easily distracted attention.
The presence of even one symptom is seen as sufficient to consult a specialist doctor. Every child is advised to have a routine eye examination once a year, even without any symptoms.
Common Eye Diseases in Children
Many eye diseases can be inherited by children. Therefore, routine eye examinations from an early age are very important for early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
Lazy Eye
Lazy eye, although seen at any age, frequently occurs when congenital eye problems are not treated in time. It develops as a result of different levels of vision impairment in both eyes, leading the brain to process the image from the well-seeing eye, causing the other eye to gradually become lazy. In lazy eye, since one eye still performs the focusing function, the condition may be harder to notice, especially by child patients.
Strabismus
Strabismus can develop due to insufficient development of eye muscles during pregnancy, congenital structural problems in eye size, developmental delays due to premature birth, or genetic reasons, as well as from damage caused by other eye disorders over time. Early diagnosis is important to prevent strabismus from causing lazy eye.
Hypermetropia
Hypermetropia is one of the eye diseases that can be detected when symptoms are followed by parents. Children with hypermetropia may frequently blink their eyes, complain of headaches, and feel the need to bring objects closer to their eyes to see clearly.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an eye health issue that causes seeing a point not clearly but scattered. Being one of the eye problems that children find difficult to express, children with astigmatism may struggle to recognize the problem in the scattered image they see, which can delay treatment.
Myopia
Children with myopia may be indifferent to their surroundings due to unclear vision, and if high-degree myopia is not recognized, the child's development may suffer. Myopia can be easily detected with routine eye examinations, and vision quality can be improved with the help of glasses.
Eye health problems in children can hinder their socialization and success in school. In severe cases, certain eye diseases can cause irreversible vision loss. Therefore, routine eye check-ups by specialized eye doctors should not be neglected, even if no disease symptoms are observed in the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if there is a problem with my child's eyes?
Since children may not articulate the vision problems they experience as clearly as adults, symptoms may need to be detected by parents. If your child frequently blinks, complains of headaches, skips lines while reading, or brings books very close to their eyes, these symptoms may indicate a vision defect. Moreover, attention deficit, learning difficulties, or getting tired quickly in class might signal an underlying eye disorder.
When and how often should children have an eye examination?
Experts recommend that all children have their first eye examination within the first year after birth, with follow-ups at ages 3 and 5, and annually during school years, even if no symptoms are present. Children with a family history of hereditary eye diseases may require more frequent check-ups.
What should be considered in children's nutrition to protect eye health?
To support children's eye health, it is recommended to regularly consume foods rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and lutein. Carrots, spinach, eggs, fish, oranges, blueberries, walnuts, and whole grains are beneficial in this regard. Additionally, drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive salt and processed foods also impact eye health positively.
How does screen time affect children's eye health?
Prolonged exposure to digital screens like tablets, computers, and phones can lead to eye fatigue, dryness, blurred vision, and focus problems in children. In developmental stages, this can cause permanent vision disorders like myopia to progress. Experts note that simple methods, such as looking at a distant object for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, can help reduce screen fatigue.
