We at Bhandari starlife eye hospital in Ludhiana treat children eye diseses with utmost care

1. Myopia (Short-Sightedness)

Myopia is a common refractive error in which distant objects appear blurred while near objects remain relatively clear. It usually develops during school age and may progress throughout childhood and adolescence. In myopia, the eyeball is relatively long or the optical power of the eye is too strong, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it.

Causes and risk factors: Family history, prolonged near work, limited outdoor activity and genetic and environmental factors contribute to myopia. Increased screen use may contribute indirectly when it replaces outdoor time or involves prolonged uninterrupted near work.

Symptoms: Children may sit close to the television, hold books or mobile devices close to their faces, squint to see the classroom board, complain of headaches or experience difficulty recognising distant objects.

Diagnosis: A comprehensive eye examination includes visual acuity testing, refraction and, where appropriate, cycloplegic refraction using eye drops to obtain an accurate prescription.

Management: Corrective spectacles are the primary treatment. Contact lenses may be suitable for selected children under appropriate supervision. Myopia-control options include specialised spectacle lenses, multifocal contact lenses, orthokeratology and low-dose atropine eye drops, depending on the child's age, progression, suitability and local clinical guidance. These approaches aim to slow progression rather than permanently cure myopia. Regular follow-up, adequate outdoor time and breaks during prolonged near work are also important.

High myopia increases the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma, making appropriate monitoring essential.

2. Squint (Strabismus)

Squint, or strabismus, is a condition in which the two eyes are not aligned in the same direction. One eye may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward or downward. It may be constant or intermittent and can occur at any age.

Causes: Squint may be associated with refractive errors, particularly significant hyperopia, impaired eye-muscle coordination, neurological conditions or other ocular disorders. Some cases are present from infancy, while others develop later.

Symptoms and complications: Parents may notice an eye turning, an abnormal head posture, closing one eye in bright sunlight or poor eye contact. Untreated childhood squint can lead to amblyopia, reduced depth perception and impaired binocular vision.

Diagnosis: Evaluation includes assessment of ocular alignment and movements, cover tests, age-appropriate visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction and examination of the anterior and posterior segments. Sudden-onset squint, especially with double vision, headache, neurological symptoms or abnormal eye movements, requires urgent medical assessment.

Management: Treatment depends on the cause and type of squint. Options include spectacles for refractive errors, amblyopia treatment with patching or selected atropine penalisation, and eye-muscle surgery when indicated. Surgery corrects alignment but does not automatically restore normal vision in an amblyopic eye. Early treatment offers the best opportunity to support normal visual development.

3. Other Important Childhood Eye Problems

• Amblyopia: Reduced vision caused by abnormal visual development, often due to squint, unequal refractive errors or visual deprivation. Treatment may include spectacles and patching or atropine penalisation.

• Allergic conjunctivitis: Itching, redness and watering are common symptoms. Avoiding triggers and using appropriate eye drops can help; children should avoid rubbing their eyes.

• Congenital cataract: Clouding of the natural lens may interfere with visual development and sometimes requires early surgery.

• Retinopathy of prematurity: Premature infants meeting screening criteria require timely retinal examinations to detect potentially sight-threatening disease.