Early detection and reduction of the risk of astigmatism in children

Quang Tri Eye Hospital doctor checks patient's eyesight - Photo: HN

In the second grade, while going to the eye doctor with her sister, Da Thi, from Dong Ha City, was discovered by the doctor to have 8 degrees of astigmatism. Previously, because her parents did not detect any abnormal signs in her eyes and did not take her for regular check-ups, when the diagnosis was made, her eyes were already quite severe. The doctor then ordered her to have amblyopia measured, prescribed eye drops, glasses tailored to her astigmatism, and had her see a doctor regularly. As a result, her eye condition improved, avoiding the risk of severe amblyopia.

After further investigation, the family learned that the child's eyes had previously shown signs of blurred vision and occasional pain and fatigue... However, because he was still young and played too much, he did not tell his parents about these signs, so the family did not detect them and treat them early. Many other children also have similar conditions, ignoring unusual signs of the eyes, causing astigmatism to not be detected early. Astigmatism can cause many serious effects on the life and activities of children. However, most young children cannot identify their own vision loss and the severity of their eyes. Therefore, parents need to pay attention and monitor their children closely to detect and take them to the eye doctor promptly to avoid dangerous complications.

Statistical studies show that the incidence of refractive errors is increasing rapidly in Vietnam. According to doctors at Quang Tri Eye Hospital, there are many causes of astigmatism. Children born with relatives with astigmatism, especially parents, have a high risk of inheriting this refractive error, forming congenital astigmatism. If children are having problems with other refractive errors in the eyes; have a history of eye trauma leaving corneal scars; have undergone other eye surgeries... they are more likely to encounter complications or increase the risk of astigmatism. Regarding the classification of astigmatism, there are corneal astigmatism (the cornea has an irregular shape); lens astigmatism (the lens in the patient's eye has an irregular shape, or the position of the artificial lens is not symmetrical). Sometimes, some people have both corneal astigmatism and lens astigmatism. The severity of astigmatism is expressed in Diopters. Diopters is a unit of measurement of the optical power of the lens. The higher the diopter number, the poorer the person's vision or the more correction is needed.

Currently, to treat astigmatism, patients must wear glasses or contact lenses. If the patient has very mild astigmatism (does not affect vision), they do not need to wear glasses but need to have regular check-ups every 3-6 months. Patients with normal astigmatism must have their lenses adjusted such as glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Objective refraction measurement and wearing glasses is the most convenient, cheap and effective method for refractive errors in general and astigmatism in particular, especially effective for children. In some cases of severe astigmatism and correction with prescription glasses is not effective, the patient must undergo surgery (only performed after the age of 18). This method uses a laser or a microsurgical knife to permanently reshape the cornea.

Director of Quang Tri Eye Hospital Bui Thi Van Anh said: The most typical signs of astigmatism in children's eyes are blurred vision at all distances, blurred, distorted images, double vision, seeing two or three shadows when seeing an object. In addition, children may have other symptoms such as eye pain, eye fatigue, headache, sensitivity to light, uncontrolled tears. "Although this disease is not related to children's living habits or eye usage, the impact of many factors such as poor nutrition, excessive use of electronic devices, improper eye care... can all contribute to increasing the rate of astigmatism in children," shared Dr. Van Anh.

To help minimize the risk of astigmatism in children, parents should instruct their children to sit in the correct posture with their backs straight and their faces 30 cm from the desk. The child's classroom must have adequate lighting conditions, not too dark or too bright. Children should balance their study time with their play and entertainment time. Experts recommend that children participate in outdoor activities for at least 2 hours a day.

Parents need to establish a habit of having their children have regular eye exams twice a year. Children under 3 years old need to be screened early to check for congenital eye diseases and defects. Treat eye diseases (if any), treat early and thoroughly, avoid complications of astigmatism.

If you detect signs of blurred vision, eye fatigue, or double vision in your child, you should see a doctor. Do not arbitrarily measure and cut glasses without a specialist examination. In addition to monitoring abnormal eye symptoms, parents need to have a reasonable diet to provide adequate vitamins and essential nutrients for children, especially foods rich in vitamin A.

“Diagnosing astigmatism is not difficult, but early detection and active treatment are important. A non-invasive method that is effective both economically and in terms of visual quality is wearing astigmatism correction glasses.

Currently, Quang Tri Eye Hospital has been equipped with a modern examination and diagnosis system. In addition to traditional machines such as Phoropter, automatic refractometer, and pupillary lamp, the hospital has also been equipped with a system for examining the anterior segment of the eyeball, including corneal mapping, helping to diagnose, detect and treat early refractive errors, including astigmatism," said Director of Eye Hospital Bui Thi Van Anh.

Minh Thao

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/phat-hien-som-va-giam-thieu-nguy-co-mac-loan-thi-o-tre-193057.htm