Astigmatism in children: treatment, methods of correction, prevention

Astigmatism is very common in children. Statistics confirm that 6% of schoolchildren have a strong degree of astigmatism, and a small degree of disease is observed in 40% of students.This pathology not only causes inconvenience to the child, but also entails a decrease in the level of school performance, as well as the development of myopia. In this regard, it is very important to notice this problem in time and begin treatment.

Causes

Speaking correctly, astigmatism is not really a disease.This is a pathology associated with the refractive error of the eye.Nevertheless, astigmatism is very dangerous if it is not detected in time.

Astigmatism in children is a congenital or acquired curvature of the cornea, as well as deformation of the lens.As a result of incorrect refraction of light, the focus of the object perceived by the eye does not appear on the retina, but in front of or behind it.

With astigmatism, visible objects appear blurred or deformed. A child can see, for example, instead of an oval point or a line.

This violation can be corrected if you notice and start treatment on time.

Most children are born with a low degree of astigmatism, which by the end of the first year decreases and becomes less than 1 diopter. Such a violation is called physiological astigmatism. In this case, the "mistake of nature" does not have a significant effect on vision, does not require treatment, and is corrected by itself.

Astigmatism in childhood is most often hereditary.This form of the disease manifests itself at an early age, and an experienced ophthalmologist can detect a violation even in a one-year-old baby.Hereditary astigmatism is caused by congenital pathology of the lens or cornea.

Acquired astigmatism is often the result of eye trauma, subluxation of the lens or pathology of the dentoalveolar system, which causes deformation of the orbit walls.

Symptoms

Disturbing signs of astigmatism in children are not apparent, but, rather, indirectly.However, observant parents can notice them.The main problem is that moms and dads often do not pay attention to the numerous symptoms of the manifestation of the disease and at times do not even suspect that their child sees badly.To hope for children in this case is not necessary, since they rarely complain about sight.

The following signs help to determine the presence of astigmatism:

• frequent headaches(especially in the area of ​​the forehead above the eyebrows);
• dizziness;
• narrowing of eyes;
• The inclination of the head to examine the subject.

In addition, children with astigmatism do not like to read and even view pictures in books. Often parents do not give all these symptoms the proper meaning. And in vain. These manifestations are an occasion to visit the office of an ophthalmologist.

Types and severity of the disease

Astigmatism in children is classified into several species, which depend on the nature of the occurrence, changes in refraction, severity, location of focus and many other factors.So, what kinds of child astigmatism are identified to date?

• Corneal astigmatism.The disorder is caused by defects in the cornea. The influence of this type of astigmatism on vision is stronger than that of the lens, as the cornea has a greater refractive power.
• Lenticular astigmatism(caused by deformation of the lens).
• Hypermetropic astigmatism(characterized by hyperopia, in which images are focused behind the retina).
• Myopic astigmatism(accompanied by myopia).

The method of treatment of hypermetropia and hypermetropic astigmatism. Analysis of the position of coagulates

There are three degrees of development of astigmatism:

• Simple degree (only on one eye).
• Complex astigmatism (associated with abnormalities in the work of both eyes).
• Mixed astigmatism implies different disorders in both eyes (for example, myopic astigmatism on one eye and hypermetropic - on the other).

According to statistics, a weak degree of astigmatism in children is less constant than high.

There are also:

• Physiological astigmatism, in which the difference in refraction of the main meridians is not more than 1 diopter.The appearance of physiological astigmatism ophthalmologists associated with the uneven growth of the eyeball, causing its insignificant deformation. Usually, such astigmatism does not significantly affect the quality of vision and does not require treatment.
• Pathological astigmatism is determined in the event that the indices of incorrect refraction reach 1 diopter and above.Such astigmatism seriously affects the quality of vision and requires correction.
• Congenital astigmatism -always hereditary pathology, which manifests itself at a very early age (1-2 years).
• Acquired astigmatism- consequence of trauma and operations on the eyes, as well as pathologies of bite and some infectious diseases.

Diagnostics

A child suffering from a congenital or acquired astigmatism due to trauma, as a rule, does not complain about poor eyesight, as he has seen so always and does not know that it is wrong.This factor complicates timely diagnosis. Astigmatism in children is revealed only at the reception of an ophthalmologist. Parents are recommended to show the child to the doctor from the age of two months and, if the doctor diagnoses astigmatism, visit this specialist every six months.

To diagnose astigmatism, the ophthalmologist uses a special device - an autorefractometer.Symbols with a symbol and a cylindrical lens are also used.Another diagnostic method helps diagnose astigmatism - keratometry, which allows to reveal the degree of curvature of the meridians of the outer surface of the cornea.

In recent years, the computer topography of the eye has become possible. This method allows you to create a three-dimensional image of the cornea of ​​the eye, and therefore more accurately assess the degree of curvature, shape and thickness of the cornea.

Methods of treatment

Timely identified astigmatism is perfectly amenable to correction.There are several methods for correcting the pathology of a child suffering from astigmatism. Until the age of 18, only conservative methods are allowed, since the child's eye is still growing and developing, and after 18 years it is possible to perform a surgical or laser correction.

Correction with glasses

The most common and simple way to correct the violation is special astigmatic glasses with cylinders that gradually correct astigmatism.In the first days of using glasses, the child may experience discomfort and headache, but these unpleasant sensations disappear in a week.If the headaches do not pass, the glasses may have been incorrectly chosen and they should be replaced.

Correction of astigmatism by means of glasses is a simple and cheap way, but not devoid of shortcomings. Points limit lateral vision, in addition, do not allow the child to play sports.

Anyway, wearing special glasses will create the conditions for the correct development of the eyesight of the child. The main thing is to pick them right.With astigmatism, complicated by far-sightedness or nearsightedness, spectacles with cylindrical lenses are assigned, and with a mixed version - with toric contact lenses.It is very important that the child is regularly observed by a specialist (at least once in six months) and changed glasses in a timely manner.

Treatment with lenses

With astigmatism is very common correction with night lenses, the so-called orthokeratology. The essence of the method is the night wearing of solid contact lenses, which correct the curvature of the cornea.In this morning, the lenses are removed, and during the day the child can walk without them.It is during sleep that vision correction takes place: gradually the cornea takes the right shape, and the vision improves.But there is one disadvantage: this method is only suitable for correcting weak astigmatism (before, diopters).

Sometimes wearing contact lenses for astigmatism is chosen in the event that glasses deliver discomfort (up to the eye pains).Today, lenses of a special toric form have already been developed and used.Their advantage is that they are able to firmly hold the shape of the cornea and freely pass oxygen to the eyes.The downside is a long period of addiction. In childhood (especially early), the operation of contact lenses is a problem, since a restless baby is difficult to keep.In this case, the risk of injury to the cornea increases.

When choosing lens material, plastic is preferable to glass: it is safe and easier to operate.

Laser correction

This method is characterized by quickness and painlessness.The laser correction procedure takes 15 minutes and is performed under local drip anesthesia. Undoubted advantages of laser correction: no suturing is required and no rehabilitation period is needed.The patient can be taken home immediately after the operation is completed.

Vision is improved after 1-2 hours after the laser correction, and within a week is restored finally. The most common technology today is called LASIK.

Complications

Astigmatism brings much more harm to children than adults.The child from the very childhood sees the image not in focus, because of which there is a delay in the development of the visual system as a whole.The work of the visual cells worsens, the decrease in vision progresses, and as a result amblyopia develops. In the people, this vision defect is often called a "lazy eye although in reality the eye itself is not lazy, but the brain cells responsible for vision. In this situation, even glasses do not give 100% of the view.

Treatment of astigmatism in children with amblyopia requires an individual approach for each individual case.Medical measures should be carried out in a complex way and include optical, physical and functional methods.

Since astigmatism in children often reduces vision and develops amblyopia, this has a serious impact on the formation of the entire visual system of the child.

Treatment of the disease should be started as early as possible to prevent the development of complications and accelerate the functional rehabilitation of the child.Treatment courses are held several times a year, depending on the clinical condition of the child.Between the courses of treatment the child is given recommendations on the house, if necessary, instruments and computer programs for home treatment are given out.

Prevention

The development of astigmatism can be "slowed down" and even prevented through special preventive measures. We list the main of them:

• During the mental work, observe the lighting mode: any visual load requires bright light. Use spot lighting, while avoiding daylight sources.
• Dose the visual load: they should not be too long. Alternate them with physical activity.
• Every half hour, perform eye exercises: often blink; alternately focus your eyes on the close ones (30 cm from the eyes) and distant objects; blink for 5 seconds and then keep your eyes open as much; draw eyes "eight" in rhythm respiration. Repeat each of these exercises 7-10 times.

Exercises are very useful for healthy eyes.Carry them along with the child. For balanced nutrition of the eyes, it is recommended to use also folk remedies: infusion of blueberries (1 tbsp. l. to a glass of water); infusion of the eye (50 g. herbs per liter of steep boiling water); grape seed extract.Broths should be drunk in small portions 2-3 times a day.

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How to use night lenses correctly to correct vision.

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conclusions

So, astigmatism is a disease that is corrected if it is detected in a child at an early age. Teach yourself and your child to do exercises for the eyes, to a healthy diet, tell us about the effect of excessive loads on the eyes. So your child from childhood learn to appreciate what is given to man by nature - sight.