Four Different Kinds of Eye Diseases in Children

Eyes are truly the window to the world, and this is especially true for children. As your baby starts to develop, they will use their eyes to help them take in all the new and fascinating stimuli all around them. When they begin to get older, they will use their eyes to learn all sorts of fantastic knowledge.

However, if your child has vision problems, then this can have a significant impact on their overall development. There are many kinds of eye diseases that can cause problems for kids. Today, we take a closer look at some common eye diseases in children.

Four Different Kinds of Eye Diseases in Children

Lazy Eye

Lazy eye is a very common eye problem that involves the vision in one eye not developing as well as in the other. This usually occurs because there is a “disconnect” between the brain and the eye. Unlike other kinds of eye problems, it may not be easy to tell that there is something wrong, and your child may not mention anything.

Lazy eye can cause poor performance at school as well as making the child seem clumsy. Regular eye exams will pick up any issues, so it is important that your child never misses their appointment.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye as it is commonly known, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, as well as allergic reactions. Pink eye due to a bacterial or viral infection is highly contagious, and it is likely that your child will get it at some point in their life.

The infection will make the eyes itchy and sore, and your child will want to rub them constantly. If you notice that your child has pink eye, you should keep them out of school and have them use separate towels to avoid spreading the infection.

Glaucoma

Although this eye disease is rare, it is important that you are aware of the symptoms, as it can lead to blindness if left untreated. If there is a history of glaucoma in the family, you should make your pediatrician aware of this before the birth of your baby.

This condition occurs when there are drainage problems with the eye, which causes a build-up of pressure inside the eye. The pressure can put a strain on the optical nerve. Kids with glaucoma will be highly sensitive to light and may have enlarged eyes. Early detection is vital so that any damage is minimized.

Genetic Eye Disease

If there is a history of eye disease in your family, then there is a possibility that your child may inherit it. Research has shown that genetic factors can determine issues such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, lazy eye, and being cross-eyed.

If you or other members of your family have had eye issues, you should let your pediatrician know so that they can pay specific attention during newborn and child wellness exams. This is because early diagnosis and treatment can reduce other health risks and developmental issues.