most common eye diseases in pediatric ophthalmology

Specialists in Pediatric Ophthalmology say that the most common eye diseases in children vary greatly depending on age. In children under one year nasolacrimal duct obstruction is common. Between one and four years are frequent cases of conjunctivitis and strabismus. From the four years, they are given especially optical defects.

• Nasolacrimal duct obstruction occurs because the duct must drain tears from the eye to the nose, it should open shortly before birth and has not done. If it is not opened, the tear remains stagnant because it can not drain into the nose. The baby has wet tear eye and cheek falls at producing more or less gummy. Treatment of lacrimal obstruction is to perform a massage to promote lacrimal it to open itself. If the blockage persists, should be performed nasolacrimal probing driver.
• Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva. It occurs frequently by a viral or bacterial infection or due to an allergy. Treatment is with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
• Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. This causes each eye focuses on a different place. Your treatment depends on each type and each case. Usually, it comes with glasses, patches to prevent lazy eye or even surgery of the eye muscles.
• Optical defects cause the image are not focused on the retina. In myopia, it focuses in front of the retina, hyperopia behind and astigmatism, however, different foci. They are treated with glasses or contact lenses. From age 18, you can perform laser refractive surgery and intraocular lenses.

How often should a child do an ophthalmological review?

If any symptoms is not shown, the first review should be done within three years. If there are symptoms, the first review should be done when it appears and should not wait for three years.

Once the first review, in case you suffer an abnormality should conduct regular checks depending on each case. If, however, there is no alteration an annual revision.