Infants and children can develop a variety of different eye diseases. Some of these conditions like strabismus or cataract can impact the development of the eye. But if these conditions are diagnosed early enough, the child can treated and the vision can often be salvaged. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that a complete eye examination be performed before a child's fifth birthday to determine if there are any eye problems.
Amblyopia
According to the Cleveland Clinic website, amblyopia means poor vision in one eye. During childhood, the brain ignores the image for an eye that produces a less clear image; this can be caused by strabismus or crossed eyes, unequal refractive error between the two eyes or a large amount of uncorrected refractive error in an eye. The eye that is being ignored does not develop vision normally. Correcting the underlying problem like prescribing glasses is a first step in treatment but the main goal is to force the eye that was not working well to function better. This can be accomplished by patching the good eye.
Strabismus
The condition strabismus is often first noticed by the parent. One or both eyes do not move together normally; one eye can develop amblyopia because the brain shuts down its development. This can also impact the development of stereo vision and depth perception in children. As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, glasses can improve the alignment of the eyes in some children but for many, surgery to straighten the eyes is the best option.
Cataracts
Cataracts can develop in the eye of an infant or child. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 50 percent of cataracts in children are inherited from a parent. Cataracts can develop after an injury to the eye as well. Surgery to remove the cloudy lens is the treatment; the cataract could cause amblyopia in the affected eye if not taken out. An artificial lens is placed in the eye similar to way is done for adults for most patients.
Conjunctivitis
The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists conjunctivitis as a common childhood eye disease. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue that covers the white part of the eye. Conjunctivitis is caused by a virus, bacteria or by an allergic reaction. There is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis but antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections. Since viral or bacterial conjunctivitis is very contagious, the child needs to remain home from school to avoid exposing other children.
Stye/Chalazion
Styes and chalazions are bumps on the eyelid; styes are located near the eyelid margin and chalazions can be located anywhere on the lid. Styes are caused by an infection of an eyelash follicle while chalazions are blocked oil glands. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, both can be treated initially with warm compresses and antibiotic ointments; however, if the lesion does not improve, the eye doctor may remove it.
Preseptal or Orbital Cellulitis
Sometimes an infection may involve the tissues around the eye. In preseptal cellulitis, there is an infection that usually starts from an eyelid problem or trauma. Orbital cellulitis usually starts from a deeper source like a sinus; this condition can lead to vision loss in 3 to 11 percent according to the Merck Manual. Both conditions should be treated with antibiotics; however, orbital cellulitis often necessitates an admission to the hospital for therapy.
Blocked Tear Ducts
The nasolacrimal duct is the drainage channel for tears that opens in the lower lid close to the nose; babies may be born before this duct is fully open according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can become a problem if there is an infection inside the duct. When a infant or toddler has tears overflowing from the eye, the pediatrician or eye doctor should investigate the possibility of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Sometimes manual massage can improve the blockage but the eye doctor may have to inset a small probe into the duct to open it up as well. If neither of these options work, a surgical procedure can be done in the operating room when a small tube is placed into the duct and left for a period of time.
