EYE SCREENING FOR CHILDREN

What is the refractive state of a child’s eyes?

The refractive state of the eyes is the result of the interaction of several factors: the refractive power of the cornea, the refractive power of the lens, the depth of the anterior chamber and the axial length of the eye.

During the growth of the individual these factors are subject to constant changes. On average, newborns are born with hyperopia of about 3 diopters (D). At the age of 6-8 years most children are emmetropic. In other words, it seems that the eyes develop with the tendency towards emmetropia, i.e. the absence of refractive error.

What are the degrees of binocular vision?

The degrees of binocular vision are three (3) per Worth:

1st degree: the simultaneous perception of two images, which come from each eye separately
2nd degree: the identification of the two images in one (flat fusion)
3rd degree: stereoscopic vision, i.e. the acquisition of a sense of depth

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What is amblyopia?

Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) is a disorder in the development of the visual pathway, appearing in the first years of a child’s life. It concerns the reduction of visual acuity of one or (more rarely) both eyes, despite the complete correction of any refractive errors and without any relevant underlying organic damage to justify it. The incidence of amblyopia in the general population ranges between 2-5%.

The most common types of amblyopia are:

Strabismicamblyopia
Anisometropic amblyopia (refractive amblyopia)
Amblyopia due to visual deprivation (visual deprivation amblyopia) e.g. in cases of congenital cataracts

What is the treatmentfor amblyopia?

Treatment of amblyopia is most effective (and sometimes complete) if diagnosis and treatment are made early in childhood. Treatment options include correction of refractive errors, patching, medical treatment (“atropinism”), surgery (e.g. strabismus/cataract, etc.)

What is strabismus?

Strabismus is the neuromuscular disorder of the eyes, in which the axes of vision of both eyes are not directed simultaneously to the point of focus. (“Basic principles of strabismus”, Theodosiadis-Damanakis)

Heterophoria is the condition of latent squint, where the deviation of the eyes becomes apparent when the identification is interrupted, e.g. in cases of eye fatigue.

Heterotropia is the state of manifest squint e.g. esotropia or manifest convergent squint: the condition where one eye turns inward relative to the other.

Examples of childhood-adolescentdiseases

Nasolacrimalductobstruction
Retinopathy of prematurity
Vernalkeratoconjunctivitis
Atopickeratoconjunctivitis
Preseptal / post-septal orbitalcellulitis

Squint
Amblyopia
Keratoconus
Congenitalcataract
Congenitalglaucoma

What should be the monitoring of children?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and UK Model EUSCREEN guidelines recommend screening children aged 3-5 years to detect existing amblyopia or risk factors.

We are well aware of the fact that children are not the same as adult patients. For this reason, the examination of our little friends in our clinic is carried out through interactive games, with medical equipment that meets the criteria of the World Health Organization for the pediatric population (e.g. LEA SYMBOLS).®

Take care of your children’s vision with a visit to our clinic. Make your appointment today!

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