Why children eye checkup is different than adults?

Children eye is still growing eye, their visual development happens till age of 7-8 years. Visual acuity, Binocular vision or 3D vision is not developed at birth, it's on-going process.

Any eye pathology during this period can hamper vision development and eye alignment.

Moreover children can not inform if they are facing any eye related issues. Low vision can affect their academic, behavioral, social, emotional growth.

When eye check up should be done for children?

First eye check up is adviced at preschool age that is at age of 3 years.

If parents notice any eye related issues like squeezing of eyes or rubbing of eyes, child going close to screen or miss alignment of eyes. In that case , child should be shown to Pediatric Ophthalmologist on urgent basis.

Children whose parent or siblings have any eye related issues or high spectacle number, in that case, children should be shown to Ophthalmologist at earlier age .

Children who had ROP need to be followed regularly, as their eye develops in different way.

Children with special need should undergo regular eye checkup, as vision development is different and crucial for their overall development.

What are the common children eye related issue ?

Refractive error /Spectacle power

Allergic conjunctivitis - this is very common. Children keep rubbing eyes, eyes are watery , pink. It can be small mild episode to chronic severe issue. Treatment whenever required is very important to prevent long term issues.

Infections - like bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.

Episclaritis- it can be one episode or recurrent episodes in case of allergies or some inflammation.

Swelling in eye lids - stye, chalazion or boil in lids is common in children.

Blepharitis - it's eye lashes infection. It can go unnoticed. Child generally keep rubbing eyes. Early treatment is necessary to prevent long term effects like dry eyes.

Dry eyes - are possible in children

• Squint / Strabismus
• Lazy eyes / Amblyopia
• Shaky eyes / Nystagmus