Why is it important to have children have their eyes checked before returning to school?

The return to school can show symptoms that may lead children to think they have eye problems, for example, when looking at the blackboard, reading books, or even playing. For this reason, pediatric ophthalmology experts at theIMO Grup Miranza, a leading ophthalmology clinic in Barcelona, ​​recommends checking children's eye health from birth and annually from the age of three or four. It's more convenient to time an eye health assessment at the start of the school year to ensure children don't have vision problems that could hinder their learning.

Main childhood eye diseases

Amblyopia, better known as "lazy eye," affects 4% of children during their first years of life and occurs when one of the two eyes fails to develop normal vision and the brain doesn't use it as much as it should. It's important to keep in mind that, although it's one of the most common conditions in children, it can't be detected with the naked eye and, therefore, an ophthalmologist should be consulted because it can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated appropriately and in a timely manner. Visual acuity develops from birth to age seven. After that age, any untreated problem, such as lazy eye, can become chronic and irreversible in adulthood. One warning you can show your child is to hold objects very close to their face to try to see them better.

This disorder can be caused by refractive errors, such as myopia (difficulty seeing far away), hyperopia (difficulty seeing up close), or astigmatism (difficulty seeing both near and far). These disorders prevent objects from being correctly focused on the retina. They affect 1 in 5 children and may be related to amblyopia.

Myopia control and treatment beyond glasses

Myopia can be caused by many factors, but it is now estimated that almost 20% of children between five and seven years old have it, and this prevalence is increasing. It is important to detect the existence of this disorder as early as possible and make an early diagnosis to prevent its development. Experts at the IMO Grup Miranza emphasize the importance of preventing it because it can interfere with a child's visual development and, at the same time, with students' academic and learning rhythms during the school year.

Currently, childhood myopia is not life-threatening, but the IMO Grup Miranza recommends some treatments that slow its progression. The most effective method is low-concentration atropine eye drops every night before bed for an extended period of time, which can even last for years, but it can slow the elongation of the eyeball. This eye disorder results in blurred vision of distant objects.

There are also other methods that can reduce the rate of eye growth and, therefore, the risk of ocular complications related to high myopia, also known as severe myopia. An effective option is special ophthalmic lenses, specialized in mitigating the progression of refractive errors, or soft multifocal contact lenses as an alternative. In any case, it is important to discuss all options with a specialized pediatric ophthalmologist.

Signs that may indicate a visual deficit in children

There are some signs that may suggest that the child is suffering from an eye disorder, and anticipating this can reduce its effects if appropriate treatment is followed.

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In these cases, an ocular disorder may be suspected, and therefore, an eye examination with a pediatric ophthalmology specialist is recommended. The IMO Grup Miranza team, specialized in medical and surgical treatment of all ocular subspecialties, works in a multidisciplinary manner to determine the most appropriate diagnosis. The center also has a 24/7 emergency service available to assist with any type of eye care consultation.