Vision in a child - how to recognize visual impairment in children in time?

Overwork

Many children already at a young age begin to watch cartoons on TV, use tablets and phones. If they are used for more than 30-40 minutes, this causes increased strain on the visual organs. The child's gaze concentrates only on the nearest object, so there is no accommodation of the lens. If this condition is observed for a long time, the formation of a spasm of accommodation is possible. This worsens the situation, the child develops chronic eye pain and headaches, and also increases the risk of decreased visual acuity.

Eye fatigue does not require drug treatment; it is recommended to reduce eye strain and spend more time in the fresh air.

Diseases affecting visual acuity

In this section we will describe all childhood eye pathologies that affect visual acuity, including myopia, farsightedness, strabismus and others.

Amblyopia

Uneven use of one eye compared to the other (lazy eye), due to this, deterioration of its visual functions occurs. The disease is treated by temporarily turning off the frequently used eye and including the patient in the visual activity (occlusion).

Occlusion method

Astigmatism

This is a congenital disease caused by an abnormal structure of the lens or cornea. The baby sees a distorted image, which affects visual acuity. He often squints, looks at objects while covering one eye, gets tired quickly, and rubs his eyes. Treatment consists of wearing glasses.

You can read more about astigmatism and methods of its treatment in children on our website.

Hypermetropia

Also known as farsightedness. Occurs in children due to incorrect size of the eyeball. The child has trouble seeing nearby objects. Frequent blinking, looking too closely at objects and books, overwork due to constant concentration, resulting in headaches, refusal to read, and moodiness are signs of this disease. Hypermetropia can be treated with glasses or hardware therapy.

Read more about farsightedness in a child here.

Myopia

This disease is also called myopia - a common disease in childhood. Appears at approximately five to eight years of age. The child begins to blur objects that are far from his eyes. As a rule, it is formed during active growth of the eye and due to increased load on it. Myopia is treated by wearing glasses.

More information about childhood myopia can also be obtained from the article on our portal.

Convergence insufficiency

A very common disorder of near binocular vision in a child. This pathology is difficult to diagnose. A child who seems to have good eyesight feels tension in his eyes, quickly gets tired of lessons, and has difficulty reading. More often, such children are assessed as incapable of learning. The cause of this pathology, according to experts, is heredity.

Nystagmus

Uncontrolled, rapid movements of the eyeballs. In children under one year old, it can only be diagnosed at the age of two to three months. At this age, doctors consider it temporary, but recommend constant monitoring by different specialists. If there is a pathology that could cause this disease, treatment is prescribed. This pathology has many varieties and its treatment, usually quite complex, is carried out in conjunction with the therapy of the underlying disease.

Read all about nystagmus on our website.

Ptosis

Pathology characterized by abnormal position of the upper eyelid (blepharoptosis). It is down and there are problems with movement. These can be congenital eye diseases or acquired. Treatment for children under three years of age consists of fixing the correct position of the eyelid using a patch. For older children, surgery is performed.

You can learn more about ptosis here.

Retinopathy

Disease in premature babies. Due to the arrest of the normal growth of retinal vessels, they develop fibrosis, scarring of the retina, which greatly affects visual functions, with the risk of complete loss of vision.

In premature babies who have suffered retinopathy, various complications are possible (myopia, astigmatism, retinal detachment). Treatment is surgical.

Spasm of accommodation

Also called false myopia. With this pathology, the ability of the accommodative (ciliary) muscle to relax is impaired, which leads to a decrease in distance visual acuity. It is observed in school-age children. It is quickly eliminated with the help of gymnastic eye exercises and ophthalmic drug therapy.

Strabismus (squint)

A pathology in which one or both eyes are positioned incorrectly, causing them to be unable to concentrate on one point at a time. In this case, binocular vision is impaired. In newborn children, there is uncoordination in their gaze; at three to four months the eyes should align; if this does not happen, you need to consult a doctor. Older children complain of blurred vision, photosensitivity, double vision, and rapid eye fatigue. Treatment should begin at the first symptoms. It is done using glasses. If the disease is caused by damage to the nerve that controls the extraocular muscle, electrical stimulation and training are prescribed; if it is not effective, surgery on the muscle is performed at three to five years.

Bacterial infection

Normally, people have opportunistic microflora in the eye area. If a child is exposed to negative environmental factors (strong wind, foreign body, hypothermia), the concentration of bacteria in the eyes increases.

Another cause of bacterial infection is the penetration of a pathogenic microbe, for example, pneumococcus, chlamydia.

A characteristic feature of a bacterial infection is the discharge of pus from the inner corner of the eye. The child cannot open his eyelids in the morning because the eyelashes are glued together. There is also severe redness and pain in the eyes, and a sensation of a foreign body under the eyelids.

Viral infections

Viruses entering the eyes form conjunctivitis. This condition can be observed only in one or both organs of vision. The eyes become very red, but there is no discharge from them. At the initial stage, increased production of tear fluid is possible, which then gives way to dry eyes. This is dangerous for the cornea, as microcracks appear on it.

The cause of a viral eye infection can be influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rotavirus and other types of pathogenic microorganisms.

Foreign body

If a foreign object gets into a child’s eyes, discomfort will occur at the initial stages. Next, the baby feels acute pain. He develops increased lacrimation, sensitivity to bright light, and his eyes turn red. If the child has not yet learned to talk, parents may not immediately understand what is going on.

If a foreign body gets in, parents can cope on their own by putting drops in or rinsing the child’s eyes. To do this, you will need a bowl of warm water, into which the child should dip his face with his eyes open.

But in some cases, foreign bodies are not washed off from the surface of the eyes. Then you should contact an ophthalmologist, who will remove the foreign object using special tools. After removing the foreign body, antibacterial agents are prescribed to prevent the risk of bacterial infection.

Allergy

Allergies to the eyes can occur seasonally, for example, during the flowering of ragweed and poplar fluff. It can also appear when a patient interacts with an allergen at home. The reaction can occur upon contact with animal hair, house dust, and household products.

The child develops severe redness of the eyes, increased production of tear fluid, and itching. He becomes restless and whiny.

Mechanical damage

In front of the child's eyes, damage may appear in both the external and internal structure. This condition is dangerous as it can cause severe eye damage. Therefore, consultation with an ophthalmologist is required. It is not recommended to carry out therapy on your own. During mechanical damage to the eyes, severe redness of the mucous membrane and increased lacrimation appear. Often there is a spasm of the eyelids, in which the child cannot open his eyes.

Sharp objects, as well as dirt and debris that get on the mucous membrane, can damage the eyes. In this case, it is recommended to explain to the child that these items cannot be removed independently. It can seriously damage the surface structure of the eyes. If damage occurs due to debris, parents should rinse their eyes themselves, making sure that there is no foreign body. If eye pain persists or the child's vision decreases, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Headache

If a child has a headache due to various reasons, the discomfort may spread to the eyes. In this case, there is no point in contacting an ophthalmologist. Consultation with a pediatrician or neurologist is necessary. Unpleasant sensations in the eyes will go away only when the cause of the headache is eliminated. It can be the result of blows, head bruises, concussions, distorted posture, or neurological diseases.

Associated symptoms

There are a number of accompanying symptoms. Along with pain in the eyes, the patient may complain of frequent headaches, dry eyes and increased tearing.

Headache

Unpleasant sensations in the organs of vision may be accompanied not only by a headache, but by a constant migraine. In this case, two foci of pain are formed: behind the eye and in the head. The pain can be stabbing, long-lasting and excruciating.

Cause of headaches and pain in the eyes:

1. Severe fatigue. Such symptoms are more often observed in people who spend a lot of time watching the computer or TV.
2. Incorrectly selected lenses. This leads to the fact that the eyes are under constant tension, and the condition of the optic nerve is constantly deteriorating.
3. Nervous overstrain. In this case, there is a spasm of the blood vessels that supply the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders.

These two symptoms are also typical for a simple cold, minor eye injury, or prolonged exposure to the sun or wind.

REFERENCE. In some cases, a headache and a feeling of pain in the organs of vision may indicate the development of cluster cephalgia. Attacks of such a disease are associated with the patient’s biological rhythms. Most often, this deviation is diagnosed in smokers. It can also occur against the background of dilation of blood vessels or problems with the vegetative-vascular system.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes occur when the tear glands no longer produce enough tears to lubricate the eye. As a result, the visual organs become too dry and the nerves of the cornea are irritated. Against the background of these processes, pain and sensitivity arise. This condition is dangerous due to the formation of scratches on the eyes.

Causes of dry eyes:

1. Excessive use of gadgets. Bright light forces a person to look very carefully, and he can be so engrossed that the number of blinks is reduced to a minimum.
2. Dry air. It dries out the natural tears that bathe the eye.
3. Hormonal changes. They are observed in women during menopausal changes in the body.
4. Wearing contact lenses. Long-term wearing of such products provokes dry eye syndrome.
5. Taking medications. This condition occurs when taking antidepressants and oral contraceptives.

Dry and painful eyes can be accompanied by some chronic diseases. Such symptoms are characteristic of diabetes mellitus, conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Taking medications affects the quality of tears, so for such diseases it is recommended to use drops with artificial tears.

Tearing

Increased tearing occurs against the background of an excessively hot, dry climate or severe frost. This deviation occurs when a foreign body or direct sunlight enters the eye.

A feeling of pain and tearfulness indicates that the body is trying to independently remove a foreign body from the organ of vision.

The combination of these two symptoms is characteristic of the following diseases:

• acute respiratory diseases;
• blepharitis;
• autoimmune disorders;
• conjunctivitis.

Profuse lacrimation during pain may indicate age-related degenerative changes in the organs of vision. With age, the tissues that hold tear fluid in the meibomian glands begin to atrophy.

Parents' actions when their child complains

When a child complains of a headache, parents should adhere to the following rules:

• examine the superficial structures of the eyes for swelling, redness, increased lacrimation and other negative symptoms;
• measure body temperature, perhaps the cause is a systemic disease;
• examine the eyes for damage to surface structures.

If parents have identified the cause, they can treat it themselves if they know what medications to use. Otherwise, consultation with an ophthalmologist and other specialists is required. They will conduct additional diagnostic tests that will eliminate the true cause of the condition.

The following therapeutic measures may be used:

• washing the eyes with warm running water, saline, antiseptic (Furacilin);
• antibacterial drugs in the form of drops (Vigamox, Tobrex, Levomycetin);
• antiviral drugs (Poludan);
• antihistamines for systemic and local use (Erius, Suprastin, Cetrin).

If the condition is caused by injury, you cannot do without consulting a doctor. If the headache is caused by visual fatigue, it is recommended to reduce the time spent on electronic gadgets and spend more time in the fresh air, where the gaze is distracted by distant objects.

What should parents do?

If the baby complains that his eyes hurt, then it is necessary to react in time. If there are no alarming symptoms, then you can carry out first aid at home.

Alarming symptoms

The child has feces like plasticine - possible causes

If parents notice the following signs, they should immediately go to the doctor:

• Severe swelling in the eyelid area;
• The baby cannot open his eyes, is afraid, squints, an attempt to open his eyelids ends in severe crying and irritation;
• The baby does not want to eat;
• The temperature cannot be brought down, but the baby scratches its eyes;
• The mucous membrane of the eyes turned red;
• The pupil is greatly enlarged or, conversely, narrowed;
• Signs of injury are obvious.

What to pay attention to at home

If the eyes are red and there is an inflammatory process, then you can apply lotions and rinses:

1. Use cotton pads and a solution of furatsilin or an infusion of chamomile, calendula, or celandine.
2. Two eyes are washed, even if only one is bothered.
3. On the first day, treatment is carried out every 2 hours, then once every 8 hours.
4. The movements should not squeeze the eyelid, but be smooth (from the inner edge to the outer).

Important! The eyes should not be washed with breast milk, especially with saliva, which may contain pathogenic microorganisms. It is also important, if there is pain in the eyes, to ensure that the little one does not rub his eyelids or touch them with his hands.

Don’t forget to offer your baby a menu rich in beta-carotene (carrots, spinach, sea buckthorn and rose hips)

It is also important, if there is pain in the eyes, to ensure that the little one does not rub his eyelids or touch them with his hands. Don’t forget to offer your baby a menu rich in beta-carotene (carrots, spinach, sea buckthorn and rose hips)

Prevention

To eliminate the possibility of eye pain, it is recommended to adhere to the following prevention methods:

• wearing sunglasses when there is strong wind outside;
• frequent walks in the fresh air;
• reducing time spent on electronic gadgets;
• timely treatment of systemic diseases;
• avoiding visiting crowded places during an epidemic of viruses and infections;
• timely treatment of seasonal allergies;
• compliance with hygiene rules, for example, frequent washing of hands and face;
• If a child wears contact lenses, ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly and use liquid to store the optical product.

It is necessary to explain to the child that he should carefully handle sharp objects, pens, and pencils. Sudden movements can seriously damage the surface structure of the eyes. If the child is too young to understand this, it is recommended to remove all objects that could harm the eyes and other parts of the body.

What should parents do?

Parents should ensure that the child does not rub his eyes, no matter how much they hurt or itch.

If a child complains of pain in the eyes, it is necessary to respond to this and go to an appointment with an ophthalmologist. If for some reason it is not possible to see a specialist, then in the absence of other alarming symptoms, you can take measures at home.

1. If there is an inflammatory process and redness, you can apply lotions or rinses:

• use cotton pads, wash with furatsilin solution, children's eye drops or herbal infusion of calendula, chamomile or celandine;
• Both eyes need to be washed, even if only one is bothering you;
• on the first day, treat every two hours, then once every eight hours;
• For each eye you need to use a new cotton pad;
• there is no need to wipe the eyes, movements should be smooth, move your hand from the outer to the inner corner.

Do not wash your eyes with breast milk or saliva. Parents should understand that these biological fluids are a likely breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, this option can be harmful to the health of the baby.

It is necessary to provide the toddler's diet with foods rich in beta-carotene, in particular carrots, spinach, sea buckthorn and rose hips. It is important that the baby does not touch his eyes with his hands or rub them. If parents know that their child spends too much time in front of the TV, then most likely the cause of the pain is overwork. This means that he needs to limit his viewing of cartoons, find a new activity for the baby, play with him... It is unacceptable for parents to independently treat their child for eye pain

After all, they can harm him unknowingly. Therefore, at the first opportunity you need to consult a doctor, and sometimes it is better to immediately call an ambulance

It is unacceptable for parents to independently treat their child for eye pain. After all, they can harm him unknowingly. Therefore, at the first opportunity you need to consult a doctor, and sometimes it is better to immediately call an ambulance.

Infectious eye diseases

In this section of the article we will look at all the most common ophthalmological diseases associated with infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, dacryocystitis and many others.

Blepharitis

An infectious disease that can be caused by various kinds of microorganisms, and which can also appear against the background of other chronic diseases (tonsillitis, laryngitis, anemia, diseases of the digestive system and others). The main signs of blepharitis are similar to many other inflammatory processes (redness of the eyelids, itching, burning, photosensitivity, increased lacrimation). But there are also special symptoms that depend on the type of blepharitis.

Treatment must be carried out immediately to avoid complications with antibacterial drugs.

Dacryocystitis

This is an inflammatory process in the so-called lacrimal fossa, occurring due to the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in it, due to a violation of the outflow of tear fluid. Dacryocystitis of the eyes occurs in newborns and children of different ages. Symptoms include swelling, redness and pain in the inner corner of the eye, and purulent discharge appears. Consultation with a specialist is necessary for proper treatment of the disease.

Be sure to read the article about dacryocystitis in newborns, where you will learn a lot about methods of treating tear duct blockage, including information about proper massage of the nasolacrimal ducts in infants.

Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea, usually caused by infection, which can result in decreased visual activity of the eye and even complete loss of vision. Depending on the route of infection, the disease has a number of varieties. To understand that a child has keratitis, it is necessary to examine the cornea; if it becomes cloudy and an infiltrate appears, you need to urgently contact a specialist for qualified help. Treatment is carried out in a hospital, and a favorable outcome depends on its speed and accuracy.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

Conjunctivitis

An inflammatory process in the eyeball that is caused by viral, bacterial, allergic causes. It develops rapidly, expressed in severe redness, itching, burning of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, discharge of pus, the baby develops headaches and general weakness. Can occur in children of any age. Depending on the causes of the disease, treatment is prescribed.

Chalazion

Inflammatory process in the sebaceous gland of the eyelid. It occurs in preschoolers and schoolchildren as an independent disease, due to dirty hands, or as a complication after an infection (ARV, influenza and others). Accompanied by swelling, redness of the eyelid, itching, burning, and after several days - the formation of a seal on the inside. If symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist. Treatment is with antibacterial therapy.

We recommend that you read the article about chalazion, where you will learn more about the reasons for its appearance, differences from barley and methods of therapy.

Uveitis

Inflammation of the choroid, of an infectious-allergic nature, occurs due to a bacterial or toxic factor. Most often, children with renal and liver failure, diabetics, with manifestations of VSD, and those prone to obesity are susceptible to the disease. Uveitis has different forms, its varieties are the following diseases - iritis, cyclitis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, panophthalmitis.

On the portal you can learn even more about uveitis and its types.

It is necessary to treat infectious eye diseases in children, which have different forms, using medication, surgery, laser, extracorporeal methods, as prescribed by a doctor.

Barley

It is characterized by the formation of a purulent abscess on the eyelid. Accompanied by itching, burning, pain, and sometimes fever. The appearance of this nuisance is usually caused by bacteria such as staphylococci. This disease occurs in children at any age. At the first symptoms of swelling of the eyelids, you should apply a warm compress to the affected area and consult a doctor. Antibiotic eye drops are used for treatment.

Read more about stye on the upper and lower eyelids here.

What eye diseases do children have?

To understand what types of visual impairments occur in children, it is important to understand how the human visual system works. It consists of the eyeball, nerve fibers and the visual part of the brain. If all three elements work harmoniously, there are no structural anomalies in them, then the child sees clearly and clearly, both near and far.

The most common visual impairments in children include:

• nearsightedness or myopia, in which the ability to clearly see distant objects is lost. With myopia, the eye muscles tense, the normal blood supply to the tissues is disrupted, and the eyeball stretches (lengthens). The image is formed not on the retina, but in front of it;
• farsightedness or hypermetropia, in which the child sees objects well at a distance, but has difficulty distinguishing objects located nearby. Many children are born with slight farsightedness, which is due to the structure of the eyeball in infants. Normally, hypermetropia disappears by 5 years;
• astigmatism, that is, curvature of the cornea or lens, due to which a clear image is not formed in the eyeball. The child may have poor vision both far and near. With high visual loads, the eyes quickly get tired, the baby may complain of pain and constantly rub his eyelids;
• strabismus, in which the coordinated work of the eyes is disrupted: the axis of one of the eyeballs deviates from the central axis. The eyes seem to be looking in different directions. The main visual load falls on the healthy eye, which gradually leads to the fading of the “squinting” functions.

Children may also experience eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. But if conjunctivitis appears at any age, then myopia, strabismus and other eye disorders most often develop before the age of 7 years. This is due to the fact that before the age of 5, due to the rapid growth of the child, the structure (size and shape) of the eyes is constantly changing, which can lead to various disorders. At 6-7 years old, a child begins to actively read, visual load increases sharply, and it is during this period that the risk of myopia is high.

Causes of photophobia

Experts identify various reasons and factors, the impact of which on the body can cause a person to develop a fear of light.

Psychosomatics

In some cases, the pathological condition develops as a result of neuropsychological disorders, which are accompanied by a strong fear of light. This disorder in medicine is called heliophobia, which is complemented by the development of certain symptoms when a person is under the bright rays of the sun.

A person may complain of the appearance of:

• gradually increasing anxiety;
• trembling all over the body;
• dizziness;
• rapid heartbeat;
• loss of consciousness.

In addition, the patient has a desire to run away or hide in a dark place as soon as possible. With such a pathological condition as heliophobia, a person is forced to limit his presence outside the room. In addition, his social circle is significantly limited, and he has difficulties with learning.

Cold

Photophobia is often observed in pathologies of the respiratory system of viral and bacterial origin, which are complemented by a rise in temperature. This symptom is especially troubling when looking at rays of light. The reason for the appearance of this symptom lies in intoxication of the body, caused by the active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. The waste products of bacteria penetrate into the blood, and then into the muscles and eyes. Colds can be accompanied by severe redness of the organs of vision, burning sensations and pain when trying to move the eyes.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a complex disease that is accompanied by infectious damage to both the spinal cord and the brain. Characteristic manifestations of meningitis are fever, skin rashes and photophobia. In addition, the patient may be bothered by a constant headache and poor noise tolerance.

With meningitis, blood pressure often increases, and damage to the nerves of the brain and blood vessels of the eye is possible. Meningitis is a dangerous disease that progresses quite rapidly. There is a high probability of developing severe complications, therefore, if such a disease is suspected, it is necessary to hospitalize the patient as soon as possible.

Measles

A pathology such as measles is rarely diagnosed in adults. However, when an infection enters the body, the patient has a rather difficult time tolerating the course of the disease and there is a high probability of developing various dangerous complications. The activity of the virus is accompanied by the development of such striking symptoms as increased lacrimation and photophobia.

In addition to such symptoms, the general condition of the body deteriorates significantly, severe weakness is noted and the temperature rises. The patient often complains of skin rashes, rhinitis and headaches. The main reason for increased sensitivity to light in this disease is due to the fact that the mucous membrane of the eye is damaged.

Cataracts and glaucoma

In elderly women with cataracts, the transparency of the lens in the organ of vision significantly decreases and its clouding is noted. The main symptom of this disease is blurred vision, that is, a person stops seeing objects clearly and the feeling is created that they are behind foggy glass. In addition, images of objects may appear double, and their color perception is impaired. Often, cataracts are accompanied by the development of a symptom such as increased sensitivity to light, which is especially intensified in the evening.

One of the causes of photophobia is considered to be glaucoma of the eye, in which intraocular pressure increases due to disruptions in the outflow of fluid. The consequence of this pathological condition is various changes in the eye structures, visual acuity decreases, the retina is destroyed and the optic nerve suffers. In adults, predominantly fear of light with glaucoma is complemented by the occurrence of symptoms such as nausea, pain in the eye and headaches.

Eye pathologies

Photophobia can be a sign of the following eye pathologies:

• conjunctivitis;
• complete color blindness;
• albinism;
• keratitis;
• various eye injuries;
• damage to the iris.

In addition, fear of light can develop when foreign objects penetrate the corneal layer, after burns, and when using too bright light.

When should I make an appointment for my child to see an ophthalmologist?

The first ophthalmological examination is carried out immediately after the baby is born. The doctor checks the development of the eyes and their coordinated work. In newborn children, the eyeball is slightly flattened, which leads to slight farsightedness, which goes away with age. Also, babies' eyes are less sensitive to light; a normal reaction to light develops by 3-5 weeks of life. During the initial examination, a specialist may identify some congenital pathologies, for example, an abnormal shape of the pupil or a reduced size of the eyeball.

If the doctor has not identified any pathologies, children undergo a second scheduled examination at 12 months. During this visit, the ophthalmologist checks the eye's refraction (the power at which light rays bend). The procedure is painless: first, a pupil dilation agent is dropped into the eyes, and then the desired value is measured using an autorefractometer. If all indicators are normal, then the next examination can be carried out in a year.

At 3 years old, a pediatric ophthalmologist can check the child’s visual acuity using the Orlova table. In it, the letters are replaced with pictures, so the baby can name those that he sees clearly.

It is recommended to visit a specialist annually. But it is especially important to come for an examination before starting school (5-6 years). Instead of Orlova's tables, Sivtsev's tables (with letters) and Golovin's (with rings) are used. The refraction of the eyes can also be measured.

But if you notice one of these symptoms in your child, you need to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, without waiting for a routine examination:

• the child squints, blinks frequently, constantly rubs his eyes;
• complains of eye fatigue or experiences pain in the eyeball;
• the eyelids turned red and swollen, uncharacteristic discharge appeared;
• There is increased tearing without any other signs of illness.

It is also worth undergoing an ophthalmological examination if the child has suffered a bruise to the face and head. Early diagnosis will allow the ophthalmologist to take timely measures to restore vision. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will select corrective products (glasses or contact lenses), drugs to improve tissue nutrition, and prescribe physical procedures. This will strengthen the eyeball and prevent further deterioration of vision.

Why does a child's vision deteriorate?

WHO experts say that about 1.4 million children worldwide suffer from blindness, and almost 50% of cases could be prevented with timely access to an ophthalmologist. In some cases, blindness develops due to internal factors:

• genetic predisposition to the development of diseases;
• difficult pregnancy and birth injuries;
• prematurity;
• congenital pathologies of the visual apparatus.

In this case, the child is already born with an anomaly in the structure of the eyeball, and then the task of doctors and parents is to compensate for visual acuity and prevent the pathology from worsening. But usually newborn babies do not have vision problems, and complications appear at an older age under the influence of external factors:

• high visual load. Learning grammar, constantly playing with phones, tablets, and watching TV create a high load on the visual apparatus, which has not yet been fully formed and strengthened. The situation gets worse when the child goes to school, during this period there is a 50% increase in the risk of developing myopia;
• traumatic brain and eye injuries. Vision may deteriorate after a strong blow to the face, such as a TBI. Also, a decrease in visual acuity is possible after surgery;
• systemic diseases: diabetes mellitus, hypertension. Improper treatment of eye infections (conjunctivitis) is also dangerous;
• avitaminosis. Insufficient supply of nutrients affects the formation and functioning of the visual system. The most important micro- and macroelements for normal eye development are vitamins A, B2, C, E, zinc, selenium;
• osteochondrosis, scoliosis and degenerative diseases of the spine. Curvature of the spinal column leads to deterioration in eye nutrition. Because of this, degenerative changes begin in the tissues of the eyeballs, vision weakens;
• sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity leads to a general weakening of the body, which also affects eye health. Due to weakened muscle tone, blood supply to tissues and organs, including the eyeballs, deteriorates. They do not receive enough nutrition, and with high loads in kindergarten or school, this increases the risk of developing myopia.

To prevent eye diseases in the early stages, it is recommended to regularly visit a pediatric ophthalmologist. Parents should also know what signs of deteriorating vision should be paid attention to first.