Healthy eyes and clear vision is the sign of good health in children.
Need for special eye care in children-
Certain eye disorders like refractive disorders, squints, amblyopia mainly occurs in children. Any vision problem in a child disrupts the developmental pathway of the brain, leading to permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment of eye disorders during childhood is also essential for preventing learning disabilities and delayed development in growing children. Eye care for children is quite different from adults.
Recommendations for eye testing-
Symptoms-
Children with eye ailment can present with various symptoms like-
Signs-
Here are few common signs, usually detected by parents or teachers-
If a child presents with any of the above sign or symptom, one needs to visit an Eye care specialist to do the diagnosis in depth.
However, with incorporating some simple habits in daily lifestyle, you can prevent eye ailments.
TIPS-
Precautions while reading-
Precautions while using computer-
Healthy Diet-
A normal balanced diet is required for maintaining over all health. But for eye care the foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin B are very much essential like green leafy vegetables (spinach (palak),fenugreek(methi)),carrots, beetroot and yellow fruits like mango and papaya.Adequate sleep– sleep of 7-8 hours daily is a must. Swimming-
Wearing of swimming goggles prevents allergy /irritation due to the chloride in the waterApplication of kajal-
Children should always avoid applying kajal.Video games-
Avoid playing video games especially on mobile phones continuously for long hours as it can cause eye strain.Simple relaxation tips for eyes-
-prepare a circle, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise, with the eyes. Repeat for 2-3 times.
Source: Hindustan Times New Delhi Edition July 01,2012 Frequently rubbing the eyes, squinting, squeezing the eyes to cocus, watching TV too close up, and stumbling often while walking. These are just some of the signs that your child’s eyesight need to be checked.“In retrospect, he sat very close to the TV screen while watching cartoons, but we did not think much of it then,” said Dr Rohan Chawla, senior consultant ophthalmologist, Max super-specialty Hospital, Saket, whose three-and-a-half-year-old son, Ronit, was prescribed spectacles a few days ago.They discovered his vision was weak by chance. “I had taken my eight-year-old daughter for an eye check-up and he was with us. He missed some letters while reading the chart. On investigation, I found out he had less power in one eye,” said Dr Chawla.
Although annual medical check-ups at schools are helping pick up refractive eye problems in children, few parents are taking their children for detailed eye tests to rule out other eye disorders and defects.“Vision testing can be done when a child starts speaking, but it is necessary to make children undergo comprehensive eye checks up just before they start school around the age of three years,” said Dr Ritika Sachdev, additional director medical services, Centre for Sight chain of eye hospitals.“A simple chart-reading test from a distance of about six metres can detect defects in eyesight. Most children who comes to us have complained of not being able to read blackboards from the last bench or not copying from blackboards correctly,” said Dr Chawla.“Once a child has glasses, he will have to continue wearing them for life. No medicine can help. And not wearing them will result in a complicated condition called lazy eye, wherein the stronger eye overtakes the weaker eye, which becomes incurable with age,” said Dr Chawla.In most cases, myopia (the minus number) increases till about 18-20 years — corresponding with the body’s growth — after which it stabilises.
The first decade of a child’s life, when the brain is learning to see, is best suited to treat the lazy eye condition. Once a person gets older, treatments currently available cannot cure the problem. This condition is commonly treated by putting a patch on the stronger eye so that the child learns to use his weaker eye.“Parents and school teachers play a crucial role in ensuring that the child doesn’t feel awkward moving around with a patch on one eye,” said Dr Sachdev. The treatment can last from few months to a year.All that parents need is to stay alert to early signs so that there is no delay in child’s treatment.
References-
http://www.whereincity.com/medical/topic/eye-and-vision/articles/252.htm
http://www.carryfitness.com/eye-care-tips/
http://www.shreeramkrishnanetralaya.com/children.html
http://www.fashioncentral.pk/beauty-style/eyes/story-731-eye-care-tips-for-kids/
http://blog.perfectwellness.co.in/2011/06/eye-care-for-children-11-top-tips-for.html