The paediatric ophthalmic examination Examination of a child’s eye can be challenging and traumatic but could save the child’s sight or even his life. A du Bruyn,1 MB ChB, Dip (Ophth), FC (Ophth); D Parbhoo,2 MB ChB, FC (Ophth) 1Consultant Ophthalmologist, St Aidan’s Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa 2Consultant Ophthalmologist, Parklands Hospital and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Correspondence to: A du Bruyn (
[email protected]) Twenty-ve thousand children in South • proptosis • 1 - 2 years: A child should be able to Africa are blind, mainly because of • ptosis pick up hundreds and thousands with congenital cataracts, congenital glaucoma, • epiphora ease (dierent size sweets can be used). malignant tumours (retinoblastoma), • buphthalmos or microphthalmos Teller’s and Cardi acuity cards can be retinopathy of prematurity, inammation • red eyes used. and injuries. Strabismus, amblyopia and • cloudy cornea • 2 - 3 years: At this age they can name refractive errors cause many more children • pupil abnormalities pictures and any of the picture charts to have reduced vision. Unfortunately, half • leucocoria. can be used (Kay pictures, Allen’s picture of these children who go blind will die cards, Bailey-Hall). Hundreds and within 2 years, mainly due to accidents. Visual assessment thousands may still be useful. Visual milestones • 3 - 5 years: Matching optotypes (use Fiy per cent of childhood blindness can be A child’s vision is developing and to establish the illiterate E chart, Landolt’s C test, prevented by early detection and treatment, visual acuity in a child is challenging for Sheridan- Gardener’s test, Lea charts).