Astigmatism is a prevalent ocular ailment that may impact young children. Although it sounds technical, it just indicates that the eye’s irregular shape results in blurry vision. In order to promote their child’s healthy development, parents must have a thorough understanding of this condition.
Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky frequently discusses childhood health issues, including astigmatism. He provides helpful guidance on how to spot the symptoms of this illness in children early on and what to do if your child is given a diagnosis.
We’ll examine Dr. Komarovsky’s comments regarding childhood astigmatism in this article. We’ll talk about how it affects vision, when to see a specialist, and the available treatments to help kids see clearly.
What is it
A violation of light ray perception is astigmatism. The inability to perceive images clearly is caused by defects in the retina, lens, or cornea. Every ray on the retina of a person with normal vision converges into a single beam at a single location. Light rays can converge in front of and behind the retina at various locations when astigmatism is present. You can’t see the distinct outlines of objects because of this.
This illness typically manifests in childhood, and if treatment is not received, along with a lack of concern from parents, it can result in strabismus, farsightedness, or nearsightedness, as well as a marked decline in vision that may eventually result in blindness.
A child’s astigmatism typically has a genetic component. A child has a very real chance of developing astigmatism if either parent has a vision disease. If the baby’s father and mother wear glasses, the risks increase.
Poor vision hygiene (the child watches TV too close to the screen, spends a lot of time at the computer or holding a tablet, his room is not well-lit or the light falls in the wrong place, etc.) is one of the disease’s other causes. Astigmatism can also result from head trauma, ocular trauma, or even a persistent deficiency of minerals and vitamins in a child’s diet.
Myopia, hyperopia, and mixed vision are possible symptoms of the disease.
Astigmatism is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world today, affecting 40% of people to some extent. The majority of the time, the departure from the norm is negligible. Nothing requires treatment up until it reaches a value of 1 diopter. This is regarded as the physiological standard for that specific individual. Children under a year old who have astigmatism also don’t require correction because it usually goes away on its own and they start seeing normally after a year.
It can be challenging to suspect astigmatism in infants under a year old, but watchful parents should have no trouble identifying behavioral indicators of reduced vision in their child. Frequently, the infant is unable to accept the desired toy because he is missing his pen. One-year-olds with normal vision can complete this process the first time around without making any mistakes.
When older children complain of headaches frequently and show little interest in drawing, reading, studying letters, or looking at pictures, it may be assumed that they are astigmatic. He finds it difficult, so he is not interested. The child squints to see small objects, tilts his head occasionally to see better, and finds it difficult to focus on an object that piques his interest.
When a child is too young to wear glasses, the most common conservative treatment for astigmatism is to have them wear contact lenses. Surgical methods are not used to treat the disease in children; instead, operations are not performed until the eyes stop "growing," which occurs between the ages of 18 and 20. After this age, cauterization and notches can be used to perform laser correction.
Children frequently experience astigmatism, and Dr. Komarovsky stresses that early detection is essential to promoting healthy eye development. He clarifies that although many children outgrow mild astigmatism, it’s crucial to have yearly eye exams to track any changes. Corrective actions, such as the use of glasses, can help a child see clearly when needed and avoid any negative effects on daily life and learning.
| Question | Answer |
| What is astigmatism? | A vision condition where the eye can"t focus light evenly on the retina, causing blurred or distorted vision. |
| How is it diagnosed in children? | An eye doctor checks for it during a regular eye exam using special equipment to measure the shape of the cornea. |
| Can astigmatism be treated? | Yes, with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, laser surgery can help later in life. |
| Does astigmatism go away on its own? | It usually doesn"t, but the right treatment can correct vision issues caused by it. |
Astigmatism in children is a common condition that shouldn’t cause parents undue concern, according to Dr. Komarovsky. To guarantee that your child’s vision develops normally, early detection and appropriate monitoring are essential.
Early detection of astigmatism can be facilitated by routine examinations by an eye specialist, particularly in the presence of visual abnormalities. Most children can have clear vision without any serious complications if they wear the proper corrective lenses.
By providing regular eye care and being aware of your child’s needs, you can help them live a healthy and active life without having to worry about the limitations that come with untreated astigmatism.
