Vision plays an essential part in your baby's development. According to the University of Illinois, your newborn normally receives his first eye exam while still in the nursery. The doctor will look for eye infections and structural issues during the examination. Your baby's pediatrician will treat any infections immediately; if a serious eye problem is found, he will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further medical attention.
Pink Eye
Caused by a virus or bacteria, pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye problem found in infants. Newborns sometimes contract pink eye while passing through the birth canal. Pink eye may also occur due to a clogged tear duct, reports the University of Illinois. Signs of pink eye include redness, swelling, itchiness, discharge and tearing of the eye. Pink eye is treated with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops. Prevent the spread of pink eye by washing your hands after touching your infected infant. Speak with your pediatrician if you suspect that your baby has developed pink eye.
Infantile Cataract
Although it is rare, your baby may be born with an infantile cataract. Cataracts are cloudy spots on the lens of your baby's eye that prevent the proper focusing of the eye. In severe cases, cataracts may cause the pupil of the eye to turn white. According to the Washington University School of Medicine, approximately 20 percent of infantile cataracts are inherited while other cases may be caused by a virus similar to German measles. Minor cases of cataracts are treated by using patches, eye drops and glasses, according to First Eye Associates. More severe cataracts require surgery.
Blocked Tear Duct
Tear ducts allow tears from your eyes to drain into your nasal cavity. Children's Hospital of Boston states that approximately 20 percent of all newborns are born with dacryostenosis, more commonly known as blocked tear ducts. Signs of a blocked tear duct are wet eyes and continual tears that run down your baby's cheek. In some cases, a mucous-like crust may form along the edge of your infant's eye. Most blocked tear ducts correct themselves in the baby's first year. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream and suggest that you keep the eye clean to avoid the chance of infection. If the duct does not open, ophthalmologists may perform a probe and irrigation procedure or surgically place tubes in the duct.
Lazy Eye
Amblyopia, better known as lazy eye, occurs when the vision of one eye is normal while the vision of the other eye is underdeveloped. According to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, lazy eye occurs in one of every 25 to 50 people and is easily corrected when treated as early as possible. If left untreated, your baby may suffer irreversible vision loss in the lazy eye, notes KidsHealth. Ophthalmologists treat lazy eye by using drops or by having the baby wear a patch over the good eye to encourage the affected eye to process visual information.
References
- University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Your Baby's Eyes
- Kids Health: Common Eye Problems
- Health on the Net Foundation: Mother and Child Glossary Eye Problems in Childhood
- Babies With Glasses: Which Eye Problems Occur in Infants?
- American University of Sharjah: Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) What is It?
