The importance of ophthalmologic health care in childhood

Children’s eye health care is very important, because during the first years of life vision develops. The eye is constantly growing until the age of 8, so that any eye problem that is not diagnosed early can generate alterations in the development of vision, generating visual defects that will persist throughout life.

What are the main visual problems in childhood?

Lazy eye is one of the main ocular problems in childhood and should be prevented with an appropriate examination in the first years of life.

However, there are other visual problems that can affect children. Among them are the following:

  • Hyperopia
  • Astigmatism
  • Myopia
  • Strabismus

There are also other very common diseases that, although they do not cause significant visual disturbances, must be diagnosed and treated correctly. This is the case of sties and conjunctivitis.

When should eye examinations be performed and how often?

If there is no apparent eye problem or family history, it is recommended that the first checkup be performed between 3 and 4 years of age.

What aspects are looked at during these checkups?

In these check-ups, visual acuity and the transparency of the cornea and crystalline lens are checked.

On the other hand, a study of the fundus is also recommended after pupillary dilation in order to detect certain serious pathologies in their initial stages.

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How important are these examinations for visual health?

Screening is of great importance, since vision develops in the first years of life, so if a defect is not corrected in time, it will leave a lifelong visual sequela.