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Much of what we know and love in the world around us comes to us through our sight, yet many of us ignore our eye
health and don't get regular eye checkups. What a short-sighted attitude this is, especially when you consider that many
eye disorders present no physical symptoms and can only be detected through an eye exam.
Infants
(Newborn to 24 months)
While newborns are able to see, their eyes tend to wander. They need to learn how to focus and how to use both eyes together. At about 10 weeks old, their eyes come into alignment and will fix
on items that are within a metre.
Potential problems
Dr. John Lloyd, a staff ophthalmologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences
Centre in Toronto, says family doctors will refer infants to an ophthalmologist
if they have any of the following symptoms:
the pupil looks white instead of black;
the eye is turned (in any direction); or
there are signs of other disorders, such as obvious ifferences between
the eyes; black, white or red spots; or various infections.
Children
(Ages two to 12)
The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that all children
undergo a thorough eye examination before entering preschool, or
between the ages of three and four. Children do not have to be able to
read an eye chart. The examination is based on what the optometrist or
ophthalmologist sees, and is designed to detect and treat a range of
problems, the most common of which follow.
Potential problems
1. Amblyopia, or lazy eye: the most common disorder in children. It occurs when one
eye is weaker than the other and the brain "shuts off" the weaker eye. Amblyopia may
be caused by strabismus, or because one eye doesn't focus properly, or because of
other, less common reasons. Only an eye exam will detect it, because children can
function well using just one eye.
Eyes continue to develop up to the age of about nine; it is important to begin
treatment early (ideally before age six), because once the eyes mature, the condition
is not reversible. Treatment may involve prescription glasses, a combination of
glasses and an eye patch, or just patching the strong eye to force the weaker eye to
work harder. Surgery also may be necessary to mechanically realign the eyes.
Potential problems
2. Astigmatism: a condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea (the
clear window in front of the eye), which prevents the eye from focusing
correctly. If astigmatism exists at birth, that usually signifies a large
amount of astigmatism, requiring treatment. Corrective glasses, corrective
soft toric lenses or hard contact lenses are the usual treatment options.
Potential problems
3. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye: inflammation of the membrane covering the white
of the eye. The pink tinge, burning, itching, swelling and occasional discharge of pus
indicate that the eye is infected with a virus or, sometimes, a bacteria. This condition
spreads easily with close contact, so it’s especially common among children
attending day care or school.
Most infections clear up on their own without causing damage. Antibiotics are used
to treat bacterial infections, which are indicated by the presence of pus. Try to avoid
touching or rubbing the eyes and never share washcloths or towels.
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