The goal of any parent is the happiness and health of their baby. One of the often troubling hereditary diseases is child astigmatism. It is dangerous because it can develop in a child at any age, although more often this deviation is diagnosed in newborns. From the instructions below you will learn how to recognize and treat such a defect of vision.
What is astigmatism
The normal shape of the cornea of the eye is a sphere. It ensures correct focusing of light rays and formation of a clear picture on the retina. When this form is broken and the cornea in two mutually perpendicular directions becomes different in curvature, then they speak of a disease called astigmatism. For this reason, the image of the object becomes cloudy.
Astigmatism is characterized by hereditary nature, because the shape of the cornea is programmed at the genetic level. Although there are cases of occurrence of such a defect after:
- eye surgery;
- subluxation of the lens;
- eye injury;
- viral or bacterial infections.
The classification of astigmatism in children is made according to the state of view on the two main meridians: vertical and horizontal. In the first case, it is direct, in the second case it is reverse. There are other types of astigmatism:
- myopic or myopic;
- hypermetropic or far-sighted;
- is mixed in the form of a combination of myopic and farsighted astigmatism on 2 different meridians.
How mixed astigmatism manifests in a child
One type of described deviation is mixed astigmatism. It is myopia of one eye and the farsightedness of the other. This form of visual impairment is considered to be the strongest. Astigmatism in children up to a year is difficult to determine. Parents should focus only on relatives who have had this abnormality. The signal for anxiety may be strabismus, expressed even in the weakest form. Older children with such visual impairment may:
- not distinguish the size of the object;
- incorrectly determine the distance to the object;
- get confused when reading;
- have complaints about eye fatigue;
- refuse to watch TV or work on the computer;
- screw up your eyes;
- twirl your head to better inspect the subject;
- complain of pain in the eyebrow area.
Myopic astigmatism
This form of vision abnormalities is divided into simple and complex astigmatism. For the former, short-sighted refraction and the location of the focus in front of the retina are characteristic only on one meridian. The second is short-sighted refraction on both major meridians, and the foci have different distances to the retina. Common signs of the presence of such a deviation in children are:
- tear;
- image blurriness;
- frequent headaches;
- examining objects too closely;
- eye fatigue.
Hypermetropic
This form of astigmatism in children is characterized by the same deviation as near-sightedness. Only the refraction here is already farsighted, because the focus is located behind the retina of the eye. Hypermetropic astigmatism can be simple and complex. Symptoms of such a deviation of vision are:
- general fatigue and irritability;
- headache with eye strain;
- decreased appetite;
- burning sensation or pain in the eyes;
- blurred image;
- viewing objects at a great distance from the eyes;
- possible strabismus.
How to treat astigmatism
Therapy is prescribed depending on the severity and shape of the deviation. In infants astigmatism manifests itself slightly, therefore it passes with age, if you follow all the recommendations of an ophthalmologist. In more serious cases, vision correction occurs by wearing glasses or contact lenses, special gymnastics and even surgery with a laser. To begin treatment it is necessary at once, in fact till 14-15 years the optical system of eye still develops.
Astigmatic glasses and lenses
The most common way to adjust eyesight is through glasses. They have spherical and cylindrical astigmatic lenses. The first corrects for myopia or hyperopia, while the latter contribute to the correct refraction of the light beam. In addition to eyeglasses, in specialized stores you can purchase lenses that also correct vision. For children it is better to choose one-day options, because they do not require care, and yet they will not become a source of possible infection.
Laser correction
Treatment with the help of surgical intervention is shown only after reaching 18 years of age, when the visual system is almost completely formed. More often laser correction is appointed even after 20 years. The operation involves the separation of the surface layer of the cornea and its subsequent alignment. Then the upper part returns to its place. Using laser correction, astigmatism can be cured completely. Within a few hours a person begins to see well.
Exercises for eyes with astigmatism
In childhood, along with the use of glasses or lenses, vision correction is performed with the help of special exercises. They are light and do not require additional equipment. The child just needs to sit down and try to do the following:
- eyes in the air "write" letters or numbers;
- alternate strong eye-shutter and relaxation;
- massage your thumbs with closed eyelids;
- alternately focus on the far away, and then closely located objects;
- close your eyes, give them a break.
Prevention of eye disease in children
To prevent the development of astigmatism or to detect the presence of a visual defect in time, you should visit the ophthalmologist regularly once a year. Prophylactic measures suggest the creation of conditions for the normal development of the eyeball, therefore include the following:
- alternation of visual tension with active rest;
- correct lighting of the child's work place;
- special gymnastics for the eyes;
- massage of the eyelids and color therapy in the presence of a tendency to astigmatism.
Congenital astigmatism can not be prevented, therefore it is important not to allow the progression of the disease and the appearance of its consequences. Among the latter, amblyopia or "lazy eye" is noted, when vision can no longer be corrected by surgery and glasses. In addition, if astigmatism is not treated, the child may lag behind in neuropsychological development and even remain with strabismus.
Video: Is astigmatism treated in children
Reviews
Alexandra, 29 years old : I had astigmatism since birth. I had to wear glasses at school. Now there is no problem with eyesight, i.e.all passed by itself. After the birth of the child, she again encountered this defect. The ophthalmologist confirmed his son's diagnosis in his special tests, but said that with age everything will pass, only you need to wear glasses.
Antonina, 36 years old : The daughter of 2 years old had an astigmatism. On one eye vision is +3, and on the other one is less. The doctor said that while we will not do anything, but the reception should definitely come in 3 years. He explained that this is an age-related and, over time, often goes by itself, especially in our family of such a diagnosis there was no one else. So do not rush to worry.
Tatiana, 32 years old : In the children's polyclinic, my daughter was diagnosed with astigmatism. She was 2.8 years old. Within 20 minutes.before testing buried something in the eye. As a result, they wrote glasses, but we only watched cartoons in them. Six months later, they again came to the reception - no improvement. The doctor scolded that I do not wear glasses constantly, so I advise you to follow all the recommendations of the ophthalmologist.