Cataract can also occur in children. Symptoms include double or blurred vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing in the dark, trouble distinguishing colours, and fluctuating vision. If left untreated, cataract can lead to blindness.
In children, cataract can be either inherited or acquired. Acquired cataract may develop due to an illness during pregnancy, such as rubella.
Treatment
A cataract operation, where the affected lens is replaced, is the only solution.
A lazy eye (amblyopia) develops in early childhood and is caused by reduced development in one of the eyes. It is important to detect this condition early so that it can be treated.
Treatment
Treatment is usually provided by an orthoptist and typically involves patching the stronger eye to stimulate the weaker eye to develop properly.
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. There are different types of strabismus. Each eye is controlled by six muscles, and when the eyes are properly aligned, these muscles are in balance. In strabismus, this balance is disrupted.
Factors that can contribute to the development of strabismus include hereditary factors, congenital (present at birth) strabismus, uncorrected refractive errors, complications from infections or other illnesses, eye movement disorders, emotional stress or shock, and injury. There is also a link between strabismus and farsightedness.
Treatment
If strabismus cannot be sufficiently corrected with glasses and/or exercises, eye muscle surgery may be an effective solution.
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition in which light entering the eye is not properly focused on the retina at the back of the eye. This can be caused by an eyeball that is too long and/or a cornea that is too curved, preventing light from being sharply focused.
As a result, vision becomes blurred. Inside the eye, light is detected by “sensors” that send visual information to the brain via the optic nerve. A person with myopia can see objects clearly up close, but has difficulty seeing things at a distance.
It is important to correct myopia with glasses, as it can lead to more serious eye conditions later in life, such as glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.
Treatment
For children with severe myopia, there are several treatments available to help slow the growth of the eye. These include eye drops, special contact lenses, or glasses. However, there is currently no treatment that can completely prevent myopia.
Spending more time outdoors, even when it is cloudy or raining, can help. Natural daylight stimulates the release of dopamine in the retina, which helps slow down the elongation of the eyeball.