All good parents want to make sure that their children grow up happy and healthy, but sometimes problems do arise. When it comes to eye-related issues, many parents may not be fully aware of the causes, and children can struggle to allow the eye to heal quickly without rubbing or scratching. By increasing your level of awareness about some of the common eye problems, as well as the ways these can potentially be avoided or treated, you may be able to help reduce the chances of your child needing to deal with too much discomfort.
Styes
Styes can be found on both the upper and lower eyelids, inside or under them – see eye stye causes explained from AllAboutVision here. Good hygiene and no frequent touching of the eye, can help to reduce the likelihood of them occurring in the first place.
When styes do occur, it is important to keep the area clean and to avoid popping the stye yourself. Warm compresses might help to reduce any swelling or soreness. In addition to this, you can also use over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol. As with any medication, it is important to check any age restrictions, as well as dosages.
Where a stye won’t heal, or your child gets them frequently, it can be better to speak to a medical professional for support or to see if there is an underlying issue, as illnesses such as diabetes can cause styes to form.
Conjunctivitis
When the conjunctiva becomes inflamed, this can cause an eye infection called conjunctivitis. This is also known colloquially as ‘pink eye’. Unlike styes, conjunctivitis is highly contagious, meaning that if another student at your child’s daycare or school has it, there is a fairly high chance that your child may also suffer.
Some symptoms of conjunctivitis can include swelling, soreness, itching, and a thick discharge, especially after waking up. Seeing a doctor can help you to figure out if it is viral or bacterial. Viral cases must be left to run their course, but bacterial conjunctivitis will require antibiotics for it to clear.
Sight Problems
Many children find it difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork anyway due to wanting to involve themselves with other activities or spend time with their friends. This can become increasingly difficult if your child has a sight problem, such as being long or short-sighted. Taking your child to an optometrist can help them diagnose your child’s eye problems and give them a prescription for glasses, should they be needed. You must encourage your child to wear them as advised so that they can continue with their day as normal.
In most situations, this issue can be resolved with a simple procedure. Residents of America’s Finest City are signing up their kids for Lasik in San Diego in order to help with their sight problems quickly and efficiently. Being proactive in finding solutions to these problems and keeping your child’s eyes clean can help you avoid too many issues in the long term.
By understanding what may be causing eye and sight problems in children, you can help yourself prepare for their likelihood and do all you can to try and minimise the likelihood of them occurring. Teaching your child good hygiene right from a young age will help tremendously with this.
