Eye Examination in a child
Your child may not complain about not seeing correctly because they are unaware there is a problem. Only you, as a parent, can make sure that any visual problem your child may have is caught early on.
Cyclorefraction
During your child’s appointment, the doctor may order cyclorefraction and eye drops will be administered. This will not be painful but may tickle for a short while. The purpose of the drops is to dilate the pupils and to accurately measure the refractive power of the eye, which is important in evaluating your child’s visual function.
Customised Myopia Management
The aim of myopia control is to prevent high myopia and it’s associated complications. Each child is different and has different rates of myopia progression. Treatment should be individualised based on the risk of each child.
Myopia and Atropine
A person is able to see near objects well but has difficulty seeing objects that are far away. Occurs when an eyeball is too long, causing light rays to fall in front of the retina, and not focus accurately on it.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia or “Lazy eye” is a condition with decreased vision in one or both eyes due to insufficient use in infancy or childhood. Visual acuity in either eye worse is 6/12 or there is more than 2-line difference in visual acuity between the 2 eyes.
Strabismus
Misalignment of the eyes which may be horizontal, vertical or torsional. The problem may be present at all times (constant) or may only appear at certain times, such as when the eyes are tired (intermittent).
Paediatric Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. When a child has a cataract, the lens cannot focus the rays of light onto the retina normally. Instead, the lens produces blurry images, which reduce the child’s vision.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Growth of blood vessels in the eye is not complete until a baby is term. Retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP, is caused when abnormal blood vessels form in a premature baby’s eye(s). The vessels can lead to bleeding inside the eye and even retinal detachment.
Tearing in a child
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is the most common cause of persistent tearing in an infant/ young child, and can lead to infection and ocular discharge. Other causes range from mild, self-limiting conditions to severe sight-threatening ocular emergencies.