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Children's Ophthalmology

Screening children younger than 7 years old for visual development problems.

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Children's Ophthalmology

Paediatric ophthalmology is a sub-speciality dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of eye diseases and visual problems in children, from birth to adolescence. Vision is a fundamental sense in child development, and any alteration, if not detected and treated in time, can have consequences on learning, motor coordination and quality of life in general. At our clinic, we offer a comprehensive and specialized approach to attend to the visual needs of children, with a team of highly qualified ophthalmologists.

Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of eye problems is essential to ensure proper visual development. During the first few years of life, children experience rapid visual growth and development, and many eye conditions can go unnoticed. For this reason, regular eye exams are recommended in children, especially if there is a family history of visual problems.

Common Eye Problems in Children

Common eye problems in childhood include:

  • Strabismus: Strabismus is the misalignment of the eyes that can cause problems in binocular vision or depth vision. If left untreated, it can lead to amblyopia.
  • Amblyopia: Also known as "lazy eye", it is an incomplete visual development that occurs when the brain does not use an eye properly for some reason (misalignment, refractive error or opacity of structures).
  • Myopia: Myopia is a refractive error in which near objects are clearly seen, while distant objects are blurred. Its prevalence is increasing among children, and if left unchecked, it can progress rapidly.
  • Hyperopia: Unlike nearsightedness, farsightedness allows you to see distant objects more clearly than near ones. In some cases, it can lead to focusing problems and eye fatigue.
  • Strabismus: Many children, either at birth or in early childhood, have alterations in the alignment of the eyes. Strabismus is an important cause of lazy eye and also has a very important aesthetic impact. Some cases can be treated with glasses alone, but others also require one or more surgical interventions. Early management of these children is essential.
  • Congenital alterations of the lacrimal duct: some children have tearing from a very young age due to obstruction of the tear duct. Early detection of these cases (before the sixth month of life) is important for treatment to be effective
  • Ocular surface affectations: Including conjunctivitis and dry eyes, which may be more common in school environments or in children who spend a lot of time in front of screens.
  • Eye trauma: Children are prone to eye injuries due to their natural curiosity and physical activities.

Treatment of Eye Problems

Treatment of eye conditions in children varies depending on the type and severity of the problem. Some of the most common interventions include:

  1. Optical Correction:
    -The use of glasses or, sometimes, contact lenses is essential to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Glasses should fit properly to ensure clear and comfortable vision, and in children under 7 years of age, to allow full visual development.
  2. Surgical Treatment:
    -In some cases, such as strabismus that is not corrected with glasses or in certain cases of congenital cataracts, surgery may be necessary to correct eye alignment or clouding of the lens.

Prevention of Myopia in Children

Prevention of myopia is a critical focus in pediatric ophthalmology, especially given the increasing rate of myopia in childhood. Some effective strategies include:

  • Encourage Outdoor Activities: Studies have shown that spending more time outdoors, at least two hours a day, can help reduce the risk of developing nearsightedness. Natural light and physical activity are beneficial for eye health.
  • Limit Screen Time: It's important to restrict the time kids spend on electronic devices. The 20-20-20 rule is recommended: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Regular eye checkups: Regular eye exams allow visual problems to be detected and corrected in early stages. It is recommended that children have their first eye evaluation around the age of 4 and thereafter every one to two years as directed by the ophthalmologist.
  • TREATMENTS TO STOP MYOPIA. At the Centre Oftalmològic Menorquí we are pioneers in new treatments that have been shown to slow down the progression of myopia, such as medical treatment with diluted atropine drops or the use of contact lenses and special glasses designed to slow down or slow down the progression of myopia.

Commitment to the Visual Health of Our Children

At our clinic, we are committed to providing optimal care in pediatric ophthalmology. Our team of experts works collaboratively with parents and educators to ensure that each child receives the care needed to develop healthy, functional vision.

If you suspect your child has vision problems or simply want to have a preventive eye exam, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our clinic. Eye health is critical to the holistic development of children, and timely diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in their quality of life.