Child Eye Care: Care of Children Eyesight, Eyesight in Children

There are many different kind of eye sight problems that happen in children of all ages so it is best to have these things checked out because without good vision it is hard for a child to learn about the world around them. Many problems begin at an early age such as pre-school age. Untreated eye problems can lead to something more serious such as blindness even.

Warning signs for eye problems in children

• Squinting
• Tilting their head to one side
• Rubbing eyes
• Trouble seeing

If you see any of these problems in your children take them to have their eyes checked.

Children often get eye infections or pink eye. When a child has an infection mucous surrounds the eyes and often lines the inside of the eyelid. It is the most common eye problem in young children and it is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection it can also be caused by irritants such as smog, chemicals, smoke, or dust in the air. This happens most in children who have allergies and happens most during allergy season. But when it is a bacterial infection there is a greenish yellowish discharge that looks like puss or mucus coming from the eye. When it is a viral infection the discharge coming from the eye is more watery looking. Viral and bacterial infections can come on due to a common cold but it can also occur on its own.

The child's body will usually clear an eye infection in about 2 weeks but with medical attention usually shortens the healing time to 2 or 3 days. New born babies are sometimes born with infections in their eyes if the mother has Chlamydia or gonorrhea at the time that the baby is born. The babies' eyes become infected during the passage of the birth canal. If this is not treated this can cause blindness in the new born baby. In most states antibiotic or silver nitrate drops must by law be put in all new born babies eyes. However silver nitrate is not effective against Chlamydia and if not washed out right away can cause infection in the babies' eyes one to two days after the drops are given. If the child has discharge that is sticky enough it can seal the Childs eyes or eye lashes together.

This can frighten a young child and can also be painful if they try to force their eyes open. To make the child more comfortable the eyes should be washed 3 to 4 times a day with Luke warm water. Washing must be done if the eye lids are stuck together, it may take a few minutes for the discharge to dissolve and dry so try to keep the child calm in the mean time. When the discharge is sticky it will bother the child's eyes and they might begin to rub them and cause the eyes to become irritated. This should try and be prevented because it could prolong the infection and may cause the eye to get inflamed a swollen and can cause the eyes to become swollen shut. To prevent an eye infection you should try to avoid exposing your child to irritating substances especially if the child has had an eye infection before.

Also try not to expose your child to children who have watery eyes or other symptoms of a cold or eye infection. Eye infections can easily be transferred from one child to another.

Older children

If your child is older and has problems in school such as seeing the board or trouble reading then they should have their eyes examined because they might need glasses. Some children are afraid they will need glasses and be teased by other kids so they will try to hide any eye problems they may have. As a mother I have gone through this my self so I know how tough it can be to have a child who needs glasses try to calm your child and tell him or her that it is not big deal also there are contact lenses for children as well so they do not have to worry about being teased by other children and have their vision cleared up with no worries to the child or the parent.

It is best to teach the child that better health is the best thing for them and not to worry about what others may think of them. So if you feel you child has vision problems and is afraid to tell you so talk to your child about it to see what can be done.

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