Protect Your Child’s Eye Like Your Eye!
Children are the most valuable assets of their parents. Despite this, many children experience vision problems that will affect the rest of their lives due to their parents’ negligence. Ophthalmology Specialist Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek, one of the doctors of Kudret Göz Istanbul, explained the importance of eye examination in children, eye diseases seen in children, when and how often the first eye examination should be performed, and methods to reduce the fear of examination.
8 – 9 Age Limit in Lazy Eye Treatment!
Kudret Göz Istanbul Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek stated the importance of eye health in children with the following sentences; “It is the primary duty of every parent and adult individual to provide a healthy, beautiful future for children. It is necessary to pay attention to the eye health of children from infancy. Eye diseases are seen in infants and children as well as in adults. Astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, lazy eye, strabismus, tear duct obstruction are common eye diseases in infants and children. More rarely, cataracts, eye pressure, abnormalities related to the development of the eye, eye tumours and all kinds of similar eye diseases are encountered in children and newborn babies. Some eye diseases that are not diagnosed in the early period are difficult to treat in later ages. Some diseases that are not intervened can also lead to permanent vision loss. For example, strabismus, which is one of the most common diseases in children, causes lazy eye if left untreated. Lazy eye negatively affects the lives of children by causing a decrease in both vision and depth perception. In the treatment of lazy eye, 8 – 9 years of age is accepted as the critical limit, and unfortunately, in cases exceeding this age range, the desired response cannot be obtained from the treatment.”
Visual Impairments Affect School Success!
In these days when the semester break begins and report cards are taken, Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek warned families by pointing out that visual impairments can cause learning difficulties: “Children with untreated visual impairments may have difficulty reading a book or seeing the board. Visual impairments can lead to loss of balance and negatively affect children’s physical and manual dexterity-based activities. All these will lead to a sense of failure and inadequacy along with learning difficulties and will negatively affect their mental health. Games based on rules such as catching the ball, throwing the ball or not stepping on the lines may cause performance anxiety and prevent socialisation. Vision problems may affect children’s achievements, perception, learning and expression skills, and some untreated eye diseases may lead to aesthetic concerns in children at a later age. The attention, co-operation and sensitivity of families and teachers will shed light on the whole future of the child in this regard as in other issues.”
First Examination is Important in Children!
Kudret Göz Istanbul Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Baylançiçek shared the following information about when and how often children should be examined for the first time: “It is important that the first eye examination of the baby is performed by the pediatrician after birth. In this first examination, the doctor checks whether there is a congenital anomaly in the eye. By shining a light into the eye, the doctor checks how narrow the pupil is and how it reacts to light. If an abnormality is detected, the baby should be seen by a specialist ophthalmologist immediately. If there is no unusual situation, the child should be examined by a specialist physician at the 6th and 12th months following the first examination. At the slightest complaint about your child’s eyes or any sign of eye disorder, you should immediately consult a specialist ophthalmologist. Even if no signs of any disease are observed, eye examinations should be repeated regularly every year at the ages of 3 and 5 and during the school process. “The family plays an important role in the early diagnosis of the disease!”Pointing out that the family has a great role in the early detection of eye diseases in children, Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek warned by giving information about the symptoms of eye diseases: “The family plays an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases in infants and children. The family should be a good observer and pay attention to their children’s behaviour as well as their physical conditions. Eye diseases may cause complaints such as slipping, burrs, redness, swelling and droopy eyelids. Blinking at frequent intervals, rubbing the eyes, squinting, squinting, closing one eye or tilting the head to one side, watching television too closely or looking at objects by bringing them closer, using fingers to determine where they read, headache, dizziness, learning difficulties are common symptoms of eye disorders. If any of these are noticed, an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately.”
How to Reduce Fear of Examination in Children?
Kudret Göz Istanbul Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek shared the following tips to facilitate the eye examination of children:
– Plan the appointment time to be suitable for your child’s sleep pattern, except in emergencies.
– Do not intimidate your children with doctors, treatment or health officials in order to discourage them from behaviours you do not want or to discipline your child. For example, do not use sentences that will cause your child to perceive going to the doctor as a punishment, such as if you do not finish your meal, I will take you to the doctor.
– Inform your child before going to the doctor. Explain what will be done during the examination and how it will benefit your child.
– Be honest with your child. For example, explanations such as “the doctor will give you an injection, but it will never hurt” may reduce his/her trust in both you and doctors. He/she will generalise his/her distrust and fear of one doctor to all doctors. Instead, prefer realistic and calming expressions such as the doctor will give an injection, there will be burning in the arm, but it will all pass after a short time.
– Give positive messages and positive examples about doctors and healthcare professionals in a way that he/she can understand. Why shouldn’t the heroes of the fairy tale or story you read be a doctor or a nurse?
– Dress them in their favourite clothes and take their favourite toy with them when they go to the examination.
– Buy age-appropriate health-related toys such as a medical examination kit and play doctor with them.
– Plan an activity that he/she likes after each doctor’s visit, such as reading a fairy tale, playing a favourite game together, going to the park, eating a favourite food. Make sure that he/she remembers the days of the doctor’s examinations well.
– Do not reflect your own fears and worries to your child. Avoid making negative sentences about the disease, anxious, frightened movements and mimics in the presence of your child and during the examination. Your anxious state will increase his/her fears. Take care to be calm.
Remember, these blog posts are for informational purposes only. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please consult a doctor.
