When a child is born it is amazing to watch their expression of awe as they observe and look curiously at the world and people around them. The eye contact made with mom and dad during the first few moments can make a bond that will build and last a lifetime ... but what if something went terribly wrong and replaced the world with a look of total blackness.
80% of pre-school aged children never see an eye doctor for an exam. Ideally, the best scenario would be an initial eye exam by an eye specialist at the age of 6 months, again at 4 or 5 years of age, and then periodically during school years. However, many take their eyes for granted, and a majority of parents probably don't think that eye exams are important, unless there is something obviously wrong with their child's eye(s). Unfortunately, there are many eye disorders that exhibit no symptoms or warning signs. In the mid-nineties there will be twice as many visually impaired children as in the seventies.
Possible signs that your child needs to have their eyes examined include :
Rubs eyes excessively Shuts or covers one eye Tilts or thrusts head forward Has difficulty with reading or other close-up work Holds objects close to eyes Blinks more than usual or is irritable when doing close-up work Is unable to see distant things clearly Squints eyelids together or frowns Crossed or misaligned eyes Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen eyelids Inflamed or watery eyes Recurring styes (infections) on eyelids Color photos of eyes show white reflection instead of typical red or no reflection Eyes itch, burn or feel scratchy Cannot see well Dizziness, headaches or nausea following close-up work Blurred or double vision
350,000 children go blind each year, as a result from vitamin A deficiency, malnutrition, or common disorders such as measles and diarrhea. Main causes of blindness or visual impairment, which are preventable include:
· Cataract - the most common cause where the eye's lens become cloudy, eventually resulting in blindness. A blow to the eye can trigger a cataract, and some children are born with it. Origin unknown, surgery can usually treat cataracts so that total or partial sight for a child can be restored.
· Trachoma - the oldest infections which is the leading cause of Preventable blindness. Beginning with repeated bouts of Conjunctivitis, eyelids are scarred and turn inwards, causing Eyelashes to scratch the eyeball with each blink, slowly
