Welcome. My name is Ariana and I work as a medical assistant at an army base. My main job is to make sure that there are no hidden health risks for our seemingly fit army personnel. One of the biggest issues I uncover is eyesight problems. I have discovered that a lot of people think that there is no need to visit an optometrist unless their eyes are sore or vision is blurry. This myth can be found in the army too. In the course of my work, I have learnt that many eye problems have no symptoms for a long time. I am always encouraging family and friends to go for annual eye checks. I have become so passionate about this issue that I started this blog to explain how optometrists can help you keep the best vision possible. Please scan through my entries. Enjoy.
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Understanding The Symptoms And Treatment Approach For Cataracts 22 February 2023
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Why Does an Optometrist Blow Air into Your Eyes? 11 April 2022
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5 Signs Your Child May Need Cataract Surgery 7 June 2021
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Laser Eye Surgery Preparation Tips 28 October 2020
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3 Steps To Help Your Loved One Through Cataract Surgery 17 October 2019
Eye On The Target: How Optometrists Help Your Eye Health
5 Signs Your Child May Need Cataract Surgery
Akseli Takala
Cataracts may be rare in children, but that doesn't mean they never happen. Thankfully, cataracts can be removed through surgery. But how can you tell if your child may be developing cataracts? If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, talk to your paediatric ophthalmologist about the possibility of cataract diagnosis and surgery as soon as possible.
1. Your child has trouble reading
If your child says they can see most objects fine but complains of having trouble reading, this could be a sign of a cataract. The clouding of the lens in cataracts causes blurred vision and may allow in too much light, making it hard to focus on the small print.
2. Your child complains of double vision
Having double vision, or being unable to see straight ahead, is a sign that the only light entering the eye is through the cloudy lens. In other words, the eye is seeing with a damaged lens, and the cataracts are fogging up the middle of it. In turn, this causes blurred vision or double vision.
3. Your child's pupil is enlarged
Cataracts can cause your child's pupil to appear bigger. This happens because there is light leaking into the eye due to the clouding of the lens, which causes a dark area to develop around the eye. This dark area blends in with the pupil, making it look larger than normal.
4. Your child can't recognize faces
As cataracts worsen, your child may have trouble recognising the faces of those around them. Even if your child can see faces, they may have trouble working out specific facial expressions, which can lead to serious social difficulties. While face blindness can have other causes (for example, the cognitive disorder prosopagnosia), if the problem appears to develop suddenly, it likely has a vision-related cause.
5. Your child is sensitive to bright lights
When incoming light passes through cataracts, it scatters rather than travelling along a direct path. In turn, this can make bright lights feel far more uncomfortable than usual. If your child complains of discomfort when entering a brightly lit room or standing outside in the sun, whether immediately or over a short period of time, this could be a sign of cataracts.
While all these problems can point to cataracts and the need for surgery, there are also other potential causes that could be at play. This is why it's best to visit an eye care professional if you suspect something is wrong.
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