Children, unlike adults, need special care and attention when it comes to eye examination or dealing with an eye condition. The Pediatric Ophthalmology services at SwaNetra Eye Hospital are equipped to provide the best possible care for children’s eye problems, whether simple or complex, and can be diagnosed and treated all under one roof by well-experienced doctors, with state of the art technology surgical care.
Every child should undergo a comprehensive eye examination at least before they get enrolled in a school. There are conditions such as Refractive Error and Amblyopia which can go unnoticed if not tested for specifically at a very early age. Young children who are under the age of 5 years are vulnerable to these kinds of problems as they cannot express themselves. Hence periodic eye check-up is advisable for this age group. It becomes even more essential for children to undergo early screening if they have a family history of having some eye problems.
The most common symptom of a Squint is one of the eyes not looking straight ahead. In new-born babies it is quite normal for their eyes to ‘cross’ occasionally, particularly if they are tired. However, if you notice that this happens to your child beyond three months of age, it is advisable to talk to your ophthalmologist.
The goal of amblyopia treatment is to improve the visual acuity of the poorer eye, such that it’s acuity comes at par or within one or two lines of the good eye. With early diagnosis and treatment, the sight in the “lazy eye” can be restored. A recent NEI report suggests that older children can also benefit from amblyopia treatment.