Amblyopia, or 'lazy eye,' is a condition where one or both eyes don't see well, even with glasses. It develops in childhood when the brain receives a blurry image from one or both eyes, hindering proper vision development. Early intervention is crucial as untreated amblyopia can lead to permanent vision loss, making it a primary cause of childhood vision impairment.

Treatments for amblyopia depend on the cause and can include penalization (patching or eye drops) of the strong eye, corrective lenses and some novel binocular treatments such as Luminopia and CureSight.

For more information please watch this video visit AAPOS

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes, affecting approximately 4% of the U.S. population. It comes in various types, such as esotropia (crossed eyes), exotropia (drifting out), and hypertropia (drifting up or down), defined by the direction of misalignment. There are many causes to strabismus including eye muscle control problems that patients are born with (congenital) or things that develop (acquired). There are special types of strabismus including things like Brown’s and Daune’s syndrome as well. Early detection and appropriate treatment, which can include patching, glasses, prisms, and surgery, are essential to manage strabismus effectively.

For more information please watch this video or visit AAPOS

If interested, here is a great video on strabismus surgery

Accommodative esotropia (a specific type of strabismus) is a common form of crossed eyes in children and occurs when one or both eyes turn inward while focusing. This is often associated with hyperopia (farsightedness), requiring increased effort for clear vision, especially up close. Excess eye crossing, or convergence, can result from this accommodative effort. Treatment typically involves corrective lenses, and early intervention is essential to prevent long-term vision issues.

For more information please visit AAPOS

Exotropia is a form of strabismus where one or both eyes turn outward, away from the nose. This eye misalignment can be constant or intermittent and often becomes more noticeable when the individual is tired or not focusing on a specific task. Exotropia can be caused by issues with eye muscle control, refractive errors, or underlying health conditions.

There are different types of exotropia, including intermittent exotropia, constant exotropia, divergence excess exotropia, and convergence insufficiency exotropia. Treatment options depend on the severity and type of exotropia but may include corrective lenses, penalization (patching), vision therapy, and, in some cases, surgery to align the eyes.

Early detection and intervention are essential to address exotropia effectively and prevent potential complications, such as double vision or amblyopia. For more information visit AAPOS

Pseudostrabismus refers to an optical illusion where a child's eyes may appear misaligned, giving the impression of crossed eyes, when, in fact, the eyes are properly aligned. This phenomenon is commonly seen in infants and young children due to the presence of prominent epicanthal folds and a wide nasal bridge, which can create a false appearance of inward eye deviation.

Unlike true strabismus, pseudoesotropia doesn't involve actual misalignment of the eyes or impaired eye movement. As the child grows and facial features change, the illusion of crossed eyes typically diminishes.

It's crucial to differentiate between pseudoesotropia and true strabismus through a comprehensive eye examination.

Here is some more information.

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is a common condition in newborns where the tear duct, which normally allows tears to drain from the eyes into the nose, is partially or completely blocked. This blockage can lead to excessive tearing, discharge, and occasionally, mild eye infections. Most cases of NLDO resolve on their own within the first year of life as the duct naturally opens. However, in persistent cases, a healthcare provider may recommend massage, warm compresses, or in some instances, a simple surgical procedure to clear the obstruction.

For more information please watch this video or visit AAPOS

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. The amount of myopia is primarily determined by how long the eye is. In children, myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent, with both genetic and environmental factors playing a role. Excessive screen time, limited outdoor activities, and a family history of myopia are potential risk factors.

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and intervention. Myopia often progresses during childhood and adolescence, leading to the need for stronger corrective lenses.

Encouraging outdoor activities, implementing the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes of near work), and ensuring proper lighting can contribute to managing myopia in children effectively. Various medical and optical interventions, such as low-dose atropine eye drops, multifocal contact lenses, or orthokeratology (corneal reshaping lenses), may be recommended to slow down myopia progression. Discuss the options with the doctors at Pediatric Eye Care.

This is a good video summary on Myopia.

Blepharitis:

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, typically affecting the eyelash follicles and oil glands. It can cause redness, itching, and irritation. Contributing factors include bacterial infections, skin conditions, or issues with oil gland dysfunction. Management involves proper eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and sometimes, antibiotic ointments.

Here is a good handout on Blepharitis

Stye:

A stye, or hordeolum, is a painful red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection in the oil glands or hair follicles. Styes can be external or internal. Warm compresses and good eyelid hygiene are often effective in treating styes. In some instances, antibiotic/steroid ointments or drainage may be recommended.

Chalazion:

A chalazion is a painless, slow-growing lump or cyst on the eyelid, resulting from a blocked oil gland. It is typically not infectious. Treatment may include warm compresses, lid hygiene, and in some cases, medical intervention with drops/ointment or surgery to help drain the cyst.

Here is a handout on Chalazia. Here is a video.

For reliable and comprehensive information on pediatric eye health, consider exploring resources from respected organizations such as the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). AAPOS provides valuable insights into various eye conditions affecting children. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is another reputable source offering authoritative content on a wide range of eye-related topics, catering to professionals and the general public. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also provides valuable insights into pediatric healthcare, including eye health. These organizations offer patient resources, articles, and guidelines to ensure accurate and up-to-date information for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

We at Pediatric Eye Care are here to help you and your child achieve the goals of good vision for life. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment and ask questions so that we can work together to achieve this goal.