Why is it so important to undergo annual examinations at a children's ophthalmologist

Doctor - ophthalmologist of the children's department of the "Eximer" center, member of the Association of Children's Ophthalmologists of Ukraine, specialist in orthokeratological treatment Natalya Svishcheva explains why it is dangerous to miss annual professional examinations, why you should not avoid glasses and how to prevent vision deterioration.

Natalia Svishchova

Pediatric ophthalmologist Excimer Center

When babies are born, they must be examined in the maternity hospital, and then the examination is carried out according to the doctor's recommendations. However, at school age professional examinations by an ophthalmologist must be done annually.

The point is that children don't complain if they start to see worse. After all, the process of vision loss occurs gradually, and they often simply do not notice the problem.

Or, for example, the vision of only one eye deteriorates. The child does not alternately close the right eye, then the left, so he cannot analyze that one sees worse than the other. And often, because of this difference in vision, the baby develops amblyopia ("lazy eye"), which requires additional, more complex treatment.

That's why at school age it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist once an hour. And if there are problems, then more often.

Eye problems in preschoolers

Usually it can be astigmatism or congenital difference of refraction in the eyes. Astigmatism within 0,75 diopters at an early age does not require correction. However, if astigmatism is present only in one eye and the child does not complain, the doctor often detects the problem of "lazy eye" during a preventive examination. And all because the parents did not consult an ophthalmologist in time and the young patient did not wear glasses.

Often, a doctor diagnoses uncompensated strabismus, which parents do not immediately notice. Up to a year, it is considered that this is an acceptable norm, because binocularity has not yet been formed. But even up to a year, such a problem requires a full examination in a specialized clinic, because strabismus can be secondary to congenital defects.

Birth defects

Mostly parents notice such defects, for example, congenital cataract or glaucoma. This can be seen visually: with glaucoma, the eyes change in size. In the case of congenital cataract in the pupil, where there should be a black or red reflex, it should be white. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to photograph their baby at dusk and see if the eyes glow symmetrically with a red reflex. And if something is wrong with the eye, be sure to consult an ophthalmologist.

Source: freepik

Problems that should be addressed at an early age

It is a fairly common phenomenon when a baby's tear duct is blocked. Usually it is noticeable in the first weeks after birth. Then you can contact your family doctor to prescribe drops. If in a few weeks, a maximum of a month, dacryocystitis does not pass, you need to go to an ophthalmologist.

It is important to remember: children do not complain about their eyesight, but they begin to rub their eyes, squint. Sometimes parents notice a slight redness in the corner of the eye. Thinking that this is an inflammation, they turn to the family doctor, who prescribes drops. It passes, but then it returns again.

You should know that redness is not only caused by inflammation, but sometimes by astigmatism, visual stress that cannot be accommodated. In such children, farsightedness or astigmatism is predominantly found.

Therefore, even a slight reddening of the eye is a signal that it is not necessary to just sprinkle drops, but to seek professional help. Such situations are characteristic of children of preschool age and younger schoolchildren. Adult students can already adequately assess their vision, they may have other eye problems when they start squinting or squinting.

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Danger of developing myopia

Predominantly at school age, the deterioration of vision occurs — the development of myopia. After all, to the usual visual loads - drawing, watching TV, putting together puzzles or constructors - first-graders are also taught.

Farsightedness is most often observed in young children and preschoolers. And for loads, such as writing, reading, they had quite good eyesight. However, later, due to the school workload, even with a sufficient margin of farsightedness, the student's vision may decrease and, over time, myopia may occur.

Therefore, advice to parents: introduce the child to early development only when you are sure that it will not hurt. Such activities must comply with the norms. If you start learning letters early, then they should be large - one letter or number per page, so that the child does not have to look closely, look for various small details of the drawing, bend down. And of course, it is necessary to dose the training time.

Source: freepik

Important periods for vision testing

The three most important inspections:

• First more or less informative it is held at the age of three, when the child is able to talk about his condition and give answers to questions.
• Further, at the end of the first grade, because there is an unusual load for the child and it coincides with the beginning of his active growth. It is a common situation when they go to school with good eyesight, but after the first grade they have a deterioration, so at the age of 7, an ophthalmologist is mandatory.
• Then don't skip full check-ups at 10-11 years old. Teenagers grow intensively, and the eyeball also grows, which can lead to the development of myopia. Therefore, if the child has grown taller over the summer, it makes sense to show him to an ophthalmologist more often - once every six months.

About glasses, lenses and hardware treatment

At the appointment, the ophthalmologist not only examines the visual apparatus, but also gives recommendations on the load on the eyes and, if necessary, prescribes corrective measures.

So, if you do not use glasses in the case of anisometropia (different refraction of the eyes), astigmatism or farsightedness, vision will deteriorate faster. Therefore, if the doctor found a problem during the examination and prescribed glasses, they must be worn in order not to acquire strabismus or amblyopia in the future, which will be more difficult to treat later.

In the early stages of a low degree of farsightedness or in the case of strained accommodation (and almost all schoolchildren suffer from this now), the ophthalmologist will give other advice - to regulate the visual regime and undergo apparatus treatment. Such a strategy is effective, the main thing is to visit the doctor on time and follow the recommendations.

There are medical indications when it is more convenient to replace glasses with lenses. For example, with a large difference in vision, it is quite difficult to wear glasses, because each eye needs a different glass and the image is focused incorrectly. Or with high refractive errors - then the very shape and size of the glasses are unacceptable.

And sometimes switching to lenses is the most effective way of correction. We are talking about myopia. Night hard lenses (orthological) are one of the few effective methods when it is possible, firstly, to prevent deterioration of vision, and secondly, to give the child freedom from glasses.

Why do you need to check your eyesight not at a pediatrician, but at an ophthalmologist

During annual professional examinations for school, children's vision is often checked by a pediatrician or a family doctor according to the table.

However, if you do not dilate the pupil, do not examine the environment of relaxed accommodation, we will not receive reliable data. And we will not provide the first adequate treatment. Therefore, a full examination should be at an ophthalmologist, and preferably at a specialized clinic.

Source: freepik

Expert advice on preventing vision loss

1. First of all, adjust the visual load of the child. Be sure to take breaks to rest your eyes. If you work at a computer or other gadget, use the 20 x 20 x 20 formula: work for 20 minutes, rest for 20 and look at a distance of 20 feet (6 meters).
2. When a schoolchild is reading, parents should ensure that he does not bring the book closer than 40 cm to his eyes, does not bend low, and observes a safe distance from his face to the screen.
3. Scientific studies prove the usefulness of walking outside in daylight for at least 2 hours a day to prevent myopia.
4. Be sure to alternate visual strain with physical strain.
5. It is important to undergo annual preventive examinations in order to prevent deterioration of the child's vision and prevent complications from developing in the future.

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