JHB WEST - June 22

How often should you take your child for eye screenings?
Children should be screened at birth and by their paediatrician at all
their routine follow-ups within the first year of life. Thereafter in preschool
and school, about every two years if no vision correction is required (just
a quick check with optometrists who go to the schools or at a private
optometrist). If any red flags are picked up, the child will be referred to an
ophthalmologist for a fully dilated eye exam and cycloplegic refraction.
Children who need spectacles or contact lenses should be examined
every six months instead of a year if they have a refractive error. However,
it depends on the age of the child as well as the problem.
Four common vision problems in children:
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis – a common allergic eye disease seen in preadolescent
children, often boys. Symptoms include light sensitivity, itchy
eyes, brown discoloured sclera, ulcers and even severe astigmatism or
vision loss.
• Viral conjunctivitis – such as pink eye, is often contracted in schools and
is very contagious. The symptoms include red eyes, ocular discharge,
light sensitivity and severe discomfort.
• Blocked tear ducts – often seen in children under one year old. The
symptoms include excessive tearing of one or both eyes. This can require
surgical treatment.
• Styes and chalazions – are both lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid.
These are infections in the lid area that can cause diffuse or localised
swelling and discomfort. Both conservative and surgical management
can be used to treat these problems.
Less-obvious signs of vision problems in children:
If they turn their head to the side when looking at something in front of
them, it may be a sign of a refractive error, including astigmatism.
If your children complain of frequent headaches or have a short attention
span, it may be just because they can’t see well and it hurts to focus.
If they sit very close to the TV or avoid reading, drawing, playing games
or doing other projects that need up-close focus, or are easily frustrated
with reading, it bears mentioning to your eye doctor.
Eye movements tell a lot about vision, even if a child is pre-verbal. How
well children follow faces or moving objects is a clue to their visual
abilities. Another indication of a possible disorder is unusual jerky
movements of a child’s eye(s). These eye movements can be constant or
intermittent. They can be horizontal, vertical, oblique, torsional (circular),
or combinations of those mentioned.
Eight warning signs that your child has vision problems:
• Red eyes • Holding a book/ iPad/ phone very close to his or her face
• An abnormal position of the eye (squint or cross-eyed) • A cloudy/ white
pupil • Excessively large corneas • Protruding globe/ eye • Lazy/ droopy
eyelid • Covering one eye when watching television or reading
How to avoid digital eye strain:
Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at an object at
least 20 feet away. And blink! Staring at digital screens decreases our
blink rate. Lubricating drops often help to relieve dry eyes caused by
decreased blinking.
Spend at least two to three hours outdoors each day away from any
technological devices, and do activities that require focusing on distance
and outdoor play.
Ensure that monitors are positioned at eye level, directly in front of
the face.
Avoid using digital devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. • Photographer: CELESTE CILLIERS. • Make-up and hair: ANTOINETTE DE BEER.
June 2022 Get It Magazine 11