JUNIORS DO YOU SEE ME? How would you know if your child has a vision problem? Read what the experts have to say. ❚ WORDS CHRISTEL GERALYN GOMES

60 | July 2017

Do You See Me (01).indd 60 20/6/17 8:58 am hile (or 8.6 per cent respectively – reports and other interventions to slow shortsightedness) is the a study published in the journal, down the progression of myopia in W most common among Investigative and children,” she adds. vision problems in young children, Visual Science. However, hyperopia there are a number of other issues does not occur as often and exists at or Squint to look out for as well. Here’s what the low rate of 1.4 per cent. Strabismus, which is also known you should know about your child’s as a squint, is the misalignment visual health. Notice it of the eyes. “Parents may notice It’s important that you pick up on that the child’s eyes are not Refractive Errors the signs that your child may have a focused and that one eye drifts “Refractive errors” is the technical vision problem as early as possible outward or inwards,” explains term for some of the most common so as to prevent further stress to Dr Cheryl Ngo, consultant at vision problems in children. A your child’s vision, or to prevent the the NUH Eye Surgery Centre. simply means that condition from worsening. Dr Tay adds that sometimes, the shape of the eye is such that strabismus may run in families; it does not bend light correctly, however, many children with resulting in a blurred image. Myopia, Where significant strabismus have no relatives with hyperopia and are all refractive errors are the same problem. types of refractive errors. Dr Tay Su Ann, consultant at concerned, Dr Tay Prevalence the Paediatric Ophthalmology and explains that your child is In Singapore, strabismus is not as Strabismus Department in the likely to go close to things common as Myopia, and the overall Singapore National Eye Centre, prevalence in children is 0.8 per explains how exactly each vision or hold things up close to cent of the population, says another problem comes about. She says, his face in order to see. He study published in the journal, “Myopia, or near-sightedness, may also demonstrate an Investigative Ophthalmology and arises from the elongation of the abnormal head posture, Visual Science. eyeball which results in light rays from distant objects focusing in such as a face turn or Notice it front of, instead of on the . head tilt when looking at According to Dr Tay, the drifting of On the contrary, hyperopia, or things. your child’s eye could be either farsightedness, is due to a short “intermittent or constant.” Similarly eyeball, which results in light rays to significant refractive errors, a focusing behind, instead of on the If you notice your child doing that child with strabismus may also retina. Most children are born with fairly consistently, take him for an present with an abnormal head some degree of hyperopia, which eye exam. posture when looking at things. gradually lessens as they become older. However, excessive amounts of Treatment Treatment hyperopia will require correction with For myopia, having prescription For strabismus, treatment spectacles.” glasses is the required treatment. varies according to the type of “Astigmatism, on the other hand, However, it's also important to strabismus and the amount of is due to the imperfect curvature of develop healthy eye habits to ensure control the child has over the the front part of the eye (the ), the condition doesn't worsen. Dr drifting eye. Treatment ranges from which prevents light rays from being Tay advises that your child should “observation, prescribing glasses, focused onto the retina,” says Dr Tay. spend more time outdoors in the eye exercises, or surgery to correct day and less time should be spent the misalignment,” explains Dr Tay. Prevalence doing near work like reading or Patching of the good eye may also The rates of myopia and astigmatism using handheld devices. “There have be required if there is a risk of in young Singaporean Chinese also been extensive studies on eye or ‘lazy eye’ in the eye children are high – 11 per cent and drops (e.g. atropine), contact lenses that drifts.

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Do You See Me (01).indd 61 20/6/17 8:58 am JUNIORS

An oil gland infection, or stye presents as a lump on the eye and is common in young children. If you notice a lump, take your child in to see his doctor, who will usually prescribe warm compresses, ointment, or in severe cases, the lump may need surgical drainage.

Children can also get , or an infection of the skin surrounding the eye. This usually presents as red, teary eyes, and That said, getting the appropriate child. After the age of seven to eight, is associated with viral upper treatment is very important as if left it is difficult to treat amblyopia as the respiratory tract infection, or is due untreated, strabismus can result in development of the part of the brain to contact with someone who has a amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’. which processes vision is almost similar condition. According to complete. Hence, it is important Dr Ngo, viral conjunctivitis will Amblyopia or “Lazy Eye” that your child’s eyes are checked usually self-resolve, but bacterial When your child develops a lazy eye, at age four by the family doctor, versions will need antibiotic eye this essentially means that the brain paediatrician or ophthalmologist, drops. is only focuses on one eye, ignoring or earlier if you suspect a visual It may come as a surprise, the other one. The weaker eye then problem,” says Dr Tay. but can occur in young sometimes wanders and vision in that children. Dr Ngo explains that if eye is weak. Less Common Eye Problems the is significant, surgical While most children who have vision removal is needed and if not Prevalence problems are likely to have one of treated, it will lead to amblyopia Amblyopia is among the top three the above conditions, Dr Ngo gives us which cannot be treated even if the most common vision problems in a list of the less common conditions cataract is removed when the child children, along with refractive errors that may also occur. is older. and strabismus, with 1.19 per cent of “Blocked tear ducts are common In general, when in doubt about the population in Singapore affected. in the first year of life”, she says. whether your child has a vision “Parents can recognise it when they problem or not, it’s best to take him Treatment see the child tearing a lot or if there or her in for a checkup, just to be “In order to correct amblyopia, the is sticky discharge coming out from safe instead of sorry. child needs to be encouraged to use the eye.” The condition is treated by the lazy eye. This is usually done by regularly massaging the tear duct. patching the good eye, for a number If this does not help to clear it up, a LEARN ABOUT PRACTISING GOOD EYE of hours a day, depending on the surgical procedure may be required CARE HABITS RIGHT HERE severity of the lazy eye and age of the after your child turns one. www.motherhood.com.sg

62 | July 2017

Do You See Me (01).indd 62 20/6/17 8:58 am