Pathologies Children

The child's visual system at birth needs to be developed. It requires that both eyes receive a similar amount of stimulation, so that the area of the brain that is responsible for vision, fully developes. If for some reason occur changes of the visual perception at one of the eyes, this leads to a decrease in visual acuity in the affected eye, what is known as lazy eye or amblyopia,where perceiving the bilateral vision and depth perception, which helps to control the depth and relief, can change.

When should my child get an eye exam?

Always before the age of three, and even earlier if amblyopia in the family history exists, or one of the parents noticed that it “turned” eventually one of his eyes.

How do I know if my child has a squint?

Because it distracts involuntarily one of the eyes, as a result of loss of muscle coordination, which they move. Sometimes this "deviation" is very subtle and in certain movements.

Why stops an eye to see ?

If an eye is stripped of his view from an early age, or the image that comes to his retina varies considerably between one eye and the other in quality, size, shape or position, the brain cancels slowly the image of the eye that sees worse, sometimes even completely suppresses the image.

What does the ophthalmologist?

He ensures that in both eyes the same view is developed, and then he removes surgically sometimes the lack, so that symmetry and coordination in the movements exists.

What if it does not go for many years to an ophthalmologist?

That it will not develop the view of one eye. If it is not treated according to the age by an ophthalmologist, then it will never can have sight in this eye. Therefore, in this pathology, early diagnosis is essential.

The constant tears can be due to an increase in tear production or, more often due to poor drainage thereof.

Sometimes the tear duct is not permeable at one point of excretion, causing a blockage of the duct that carries tears from the surface of the eye into the nose, resulting in the constant falling of the tear on the cheek.

There are two types of occlusion of the lacrimal duct:

Acquired: the most common. Usually affects adults and can have many causes (infection, conjunctivitis, etc.)

Congenital: Affects children and occurs due to a membrane that prevents the passage of the tear to the nostril.

How does it manifests itself?

• Blurred vision due to the tear film
• Feeling moist eye
• Constant tears rising in adverse weather conditions (wind, air conditioning, heating, etc.).
• Repeated conjunctivitis (several times a year)
• Lacrimal sac infections with fever, pain and inflammation

What are the causes?

The main causes are:

• The Aging
• Use of drugs, such as chronic eye drops, chemotherapy or radiotherapy on the area
• Congenital, from birth, in children
• Traumatism, burns ... in the area
• Eyelid malposition

What is your treatment?

Depending on the location of the blockage, the ophthalmologist will decide a a probe of the tear duct, a surgical procedure called dacryocystorhinostomy or install a Jones tube.

What is conjunctivitis?

It is the inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that is part of the sclera and the intraocular eyelids) with several causes: allergy, trauma or infectious (viral or bacterial). There are also other causes such as irritation of a chemical nature; by a foreign body entering the eye, or mechanical, due to inward "twisted" eyelids caused by eyelashes entering the eye which constantly scrub the conjunctiva.

     

Is conjunctivitis infectious?

If it is the infectious type, yes. In this case it is usually accompanied by a constant flow of tears, eye discomfort and redness. Sometimes it is accompanied by crusting, intolerance to light and, due to secretion, glued lashes. It is advisable to be careful about hygiene , as other members of the same family can be affected. Wash hands well, change towels daily, clean the eyes with saline water and sterile gauze, avoid cosmetics and make-up ... these are some of the measures we usually advise as ophthalmologists.

Can conjunctivitis affect my vision?

For Sure. If it is caused by an infection and has been complicated by corneal infiltrates or abscesses one must monitor them carefully to avoid permanent damage to the eye. In any case, when a red eye or symptoms occur, you should consult a specialist to assess the case and have treatment or not as appropriate.