Every year, thousands of children have problems with their eyes, whether it be issues with their sight, or infections within the eye. Along with discomfort and distress, this can also cause them to fall behind in their studies, as well as to not be able to enjoy events through poor vision and irritation. By considering the common types of eye problems that a child may be susceptible to, you can do all that is in your power to either reduce the likelihood of them occurring, or to rectify any issues that arise. On top of this, keeping yourself informed about common eye problems can also help you to empathize with your child’s needs.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can affect one, or both, eyes, leading to irritation, or even an inability to see for the period that the infection lasts. This can be due to a large build up of eye discharge – to find out what causes this, click the link for eye discharge explained from AllAboutVision. This can be white, yellow, or green. Initially, it may look a lot like the standard discharge that you get in the eyes upon waking up, however it will occur frequently, and can soon build up and cause the eye to stick shut. Conjunctivitis, also known commonly as Pink Eye, can come in three forms: viral, which is highly contagious to others, bacterial, which isn’t contagious but can be detrimental to a person’s sight if not treated, and allergic, which is where the conjunctiva becomes inflamed due to contact with allergens, such as dust or pollen.
Styes
Styes occur due to bacteria forming in the eye. While they are classed as contagious, the likelihood of them being transferred is minimal. Some old wives’ tales state that you can cure a stye by rubbing a solid gold ring on the infected area, however this is not the case. Those who rarely get styes can treat them at home, with warm compresses, keeping the area clean, and using over the counter pain medication and ointments. For individuals, including children, who regularly suffer with styes, antibiotics may also be needed to try and prevent future occurrences.
Poor Vision
According to research, around 40% of American children need, or wear, glasses due to vision problems, with short sightedness accounting for a large number of these. While it may be difficult for your child to adjust to needing support with their vision, this can help them with their schoolwork, as well as when reading or even general sight when out and about. Some common factors that can worsen a child’s vision include an excessive amount of screen time, whether using the TV, cellphones, or computers, as well as too much exposure to the sun. Being mindful of these factors, and ensuring that your child has regular, annual check ups with their eye doctor, can help to keep their prescription up to date, and ensure glasses are changed if necessary.
Your child’s sight is incredibly important. By considering the problems that may arise, you can do your best to limit their effects on your child’s wellbeing, allowing them to get back to their usual daily activities.
