Children's astigmatism in ophthalmic practice is quite common. It can be hereditary or occurs as a consequence of the uneven growth of individual eye elements. In mobile and hyperactive children this pathology can arise as a result of trauma. Less often, children's astigmatism is manifested as a result of a poorly performed operation. At an early age, astigmatism can be treated without surgery, with medication, eye gymnastics and special glasses.
Content
1Definition of disease
2Causes
3Symptoms of child astigmatism
4Possible complications of astigmatism
5Diagnostics
6Treatment
7Prevention
8Video
9conclusions
Definition of disease
Astigmatism is such a vision pathology, in which the contours of objects become fuzzy and blurred.This is due to the fact that the biological lenses of the eye, to which the cornea and the lens belong, have changed their curvature. As a result of this change, each point of the observed object creates several focus points. And they can be on the retina, in front of her and behind her. As a result, through the optic nerve, the brain does not receive the true image of the object, but a defocused and blurred picture. FROM
It seems that the object is viewed through a layer of water.
If the child had an astigmatism for up to one year, then the baby initially becomes accustomed to the fact that all objects have vague contours, since he has never seen a normal image.When a child begins to learn how to read, this problem will become visible, but it may be too late to treat astigmatism without invasive intervention.
The sooner a diagnosis is made to a child, the sooner it will be possible to begin corrective procedures, which means that there is more chance of a favorable outcome of treatment.
Most young children can be diagnosed with mild astigmatism with little or no effect on visual acuity.The fact is that different anatomical structures of the eye grow and develop at different rates, and with age this small pathology passes without a trace without any treatment. Children's astigmatism is divided into several types:
corneal;
lens-like;
plain;
complicated;
mixed.
In addition, astigmatism can be hypermetropic (hyperopia) or myopic (nearsightedness).
Corneal and lens astigmatism differs from each other in violation of the curvature of a particular element of the eye.In the first case it is the cornea, and in the second - the lens. Simple astigmatism means pathology on one eye, but complex in both eyes, and the manifestation of it is always the same. If short-sightedness is formed on one eye, and on the other, long-sightedness, such astigmatism is called mixed. This form of pathology is considered to be the most severe. Astigmatism is divided into three degrees:
weak degree- up to 3 diopters;
medium degree- from 3 to 6 diopters;
high degree- more than 6 diopters.
A weak degree of astigmatism is easily amenable to correction. The average degree can also be cured by non-traumatic methods. In the treatment of a strong degree of astigmatism, surgical intervention is used.
Causes
Statistics of ophthalmic diseases show that approximately 10% of children require vision correction due to astigmatism.A common cause of congenital pathology is the presence of a defective gene that is involved in the formation of fetal DNA.Other reasons are also hereditary:
albinism;
keratoconus;
abnormal development of the optic nerve;
deformation of the upper jaw;
alcoholic infection of the fetus.
Albino children are almost always born with astigmatism, which requires correction.In keratoconus, the cornea of the eye is not a hemispherical, but cone-shaped configuration. With pathologies of the dentoalveolar system, the orbit is deformed, because of what the structure of the eye develops incorrectly.Alcohol damage to the fetus can be caused by drinking alcohol at any stage of pregnancy.
Acquired astigmatism can be caused by several reasons:
eye trauma;
infectious diseases;
surgery.
A modern ultrasound examination of the fetus can reveal many pathologies of development and take the necessary measures immediately after the birth of the child.
Symptoms of child astigmatism
Small children who can not speak can not tell about their feelings, so only a children's ophthalmologist will be able to determine the presence of astigmatism and prescribe an effective treatment.The first visit to the doctor is recommended at the age of three months, then every three months to one year.
At each age, according to some external manifestations, parents can themselves determine the presence of eye pathology.
Symptoms in infants:
redness of the eyes;
spontaneous lacrimation;
the toy is too close to the eyes;
poor sleep;
swelling of the eyelids.
Signs of possible astigmatism in children under four:
the child puts the toy by the table;
stumbles upon pieces of furniture;
blinks when considering small objects;
closes one eye with his hand;
the child has increased fatigue.The child is screwed up - one of the first symptoms of development of astigmatism
Children of preschool age can already tell about negative symptoms, which do not concern visual perception. The reason for an urgent visit to an ophthalmologist may be the following symptoms:
persistent headaches;
stinging and dryness in the eyes;
dizziness;
disturbance of balance.Dry eye syndrome
Children of primary school age may have poor academic performance due to the fact that the child simply confuses letters and numbers. In adolescence, traumatic astigmatism is most often diagnosed, so it is necessary to conduct explanatory discussions with children and warn them against dangerous games and risky activities.
It is good to disaccustom the child from an early age and rub his eyes with his hands. This will avoid infectious diseases.
Possible complications of astigmatism
The most dangerous complication of astigmatism is amblyopia.With this pathology, the brain ceases to perceive a fuzzy picture, which is obtained from a diseased organ. The eye seems to be turned off. Amblyopia can be asymptomatic, that is, have no manifestations. In some cases, color perception and spatial orientation are violated, and visual acuity is significantly reduced. To treat this pathology should be at 4-7 years of age, since at an older age it is very difficult to cure it.When there is amblyopia, different methods are used. You can glue or close a healthy eye so that the affected organ of vision works at full strength.Such training can help at an early stage of amblyopia development. In addition, physiotherapy, laser stimulation and vibromassage are used. There have been cases of positive dynamics when using acupuncture.
Manifestation of amblyopia
Astigmatism can cause asthenopia or visual fatigue. At the same time, there are sensations of blurriness of objects, severe eye fatigue and a feeling of dryness, as if a sand hit the eye. Symptoms are worse when working with a computer or reading.Spasm of accommodation is removed by drops of Atropine or similar drugs.
Atropine - drops with relaxing effect
If the child refuses to read books or view pictures more often than not it's a whim. The child does not see well and it will be difficult for him to concentrate on small images.
Diagnostics
In order to detect astigmatism in a child, an ophthalmologist uses non-contact methods of diagnosis.All procedures are completely painless and do not have any negative impact on the children's body. To detect visual impairment in the smallest patients under 1 year, a skiascopia is used. In addition, visual inspection and examination of the fundus are performed.
Older children can already answer the questions of the doctor, so the primary test is conducted using a table to verify visual acuity.For a more accurate diagnosis, computer keratometry is used.
Orlova's table for determining visual acuity in children
Treatment
If a child under one year has an astigmatism with a deviation of not more than 3 diopters, such a visual impairment does not require any treatment. In the process of adaptation and maturation, vision itself will return to normal.Medical treatment for the correction of child astigmatism is not applied due to its uselessness.The child is very good at taking vitamin complexes with microelements and drugs that improve the blood supply to the eye, but they do not eliminate the problem themselves.
Vitamins for improving vision
The most cardinal way to correct vision with astigmatism is laser or surgical operation.These procedures can be prescribed only after reaching the age of 18, since before this time the eyes go through the stages of development and formation. Before this age, only conservative treatment is used. At the same time, possible amblyopia and asthenopia are treated, and glasses with special cylindrical lenses are prescribed for the correction of vision.
Surgical intervention includes the following procedures:
keratotomy;
thermokeratocoagulation;
keratoplasty;
implantation of the lens.
These methods have long been worked out and give a high percentage of complete elimination of astigmatism.
Prevention
First of all, a child with a three-month-old age should be regularly shown to an ophthalmologist.It should be taught in the form of a game to the eye gymnastics. A schoolboy must control his workplace, which should be comfortable and well and properly lit. You can do neck massage.From a young age the child needs to be accustomed to sports, and nutrition should be rational.
Video
conclusions
If a child has an astigmatism, do not assume that this diagnosis can limit the child's development. He must play, read, draw and play sports. Of course, some restrictions should be present, but the child should perceive himself as an absolutely complete personality.
