Hypermetropia (hyperopia) occurs in children quite often. Almost all babies have problems with vision in the period up to three years. Most often, unpleasant symptoms completely disappear as the child grows. However, this does not mean that signs of poor vision should be ignored.
Often, hyperopia in young children can begin to progress and cause quite serious complications. Therefore, it is worth considering in more detail this pathology, as well as methods of its treatment.
Standard reasons
Doctors say that the main factor that leads to hyperopia in children (according to ICD-10, the disease can be found under the code H52) is the physiological aspect. As a rule, babies under the age of almost always have hyperopia. However, it should not exceed 3 diopters. After the first six months, vision gradually begins to return to normal.
In the case when the restoration of diopters to normal occurs too slowly, correction glasses can be assigned to the baby. If we talk about the main causes of the appearance of eye hypermetropia in a child, then this primarily leads to:
- increased intraocular pressure;
- reduction in the eyeball;
- individual characteristics of the baby’s body.
Also, situations when certain violations occur during the formation of the visual organs of a child occur. In some situations, even if there is a difference of more than 3 diopters, such deviations are considered normal. However, you need to understand that in any situation the baby will constantly strain his eyes, especially if he begins to try to examine objects that are located quite close to him. This is due to the fact that during this period of time, the child is only beginning to form a normal perception of the image. He spends almost all the time in one position. Therefore, such conditions should not cause serious concern. Nevertheless, it is recommended to consult with a specialist and make sure that the development of the baby proceeds in a normal mode.
In some situations, hyperopia in children is not compensated by the resources of the body. This can lead to a decrease in the functioning of the part of the brain that is responsible for vision.
If the child does not develop visual function, then in the future this can lead to incurable complications.
Anatomical and genetic features
Such disorders can also lead to eye hyperopia in a child. In this case, we are talking about the fact that the baby does not have enough curved cornea, the shape of the lens is changed, or he is in the wrong position.
Also, children sometimes suffer from hyperopia due to their genetic predisposition. Accordingly, if one or both parents wear glasses, then naturally, the chances of passing on a child with vision problems will be very high.
For similar reasons, the course of pregnancy in the expectant mother should also be attributed. If a woman did not eat properly, often experienced stress and consumed alcoholic beverages, and also smoked, then this will necessarily negatively affect the health of her baby. You need to understand that the baby’s organs begin to develop in the womb. If she does not monitor her lifestyle, then there is a high probability that the child will be born with numerous problems.
Degrees of hyperopia
Hyperopia develops in several stages. During the diagnosis, the doctor may detect mild hyperopia or more serious manifestations. It is worth considering in more detail the stages of this pathology.
- 1 degree. In this case, the difference is no more than 2 diopters. Doctors call this condition mild hyperopia in a child. This degree of farsightedness is considered absolutely normal. As the baby grows, more active development of the eyeball will occur, it will increase in size. The eye muscles themselves will become stronger. The clarity of the picture will improve. If no changes are observed and degree 1 hyperopia in the child has not disappeared, even when he was 7 years old, then you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist. This indicates complications. Perhaps farsightedness is accompanied by other ailments.
- Moderate hypermetropia in children. In this case, the discrepancy will be from 2 to 5 diopters. When a moderate degree of pathology appears, surgical treatment is not performed. Most often in this situation, the doctor prescribes the use of corrective glasses. As a rule, children should wear them during reading, drawing and other activities.
- High degree. In this case, the indicator will be above 5 diopters. With high degree hyperopia in children, doctors recommend the use of correction glasses throughout the day. If vision has deteriorated very much, then in this case the use of contact lenses is allowed.
Symptoms depending on the degree of pathology
It is worth noting that children with a high degree of visual impairment very poorly distinguish objects located far away. In this case, the visual cells in the brain have no incentive to develop. Against this background, over the years, only a decrease in vision occurs, which can lead to serious consequences.
If we are talking about mild hyperopia of both eyes in a child, then, as a rule, normal development of vision is preserved, and the baby quite clearly sees the objects located in front of him. However, in this case, some children experience fairly rapid general fatigue, dizziness and headaches.
On an average degree of hyperopia, the child still sees objects far away well. However, the picture that is closer to it begins to blur.
With increased farsightedness, the child does not see both in the distance and near. Because of this, the possibility of focusing disappears. The retina ceases to develop in a full way, which leads to unpleasant consequences.
To make a diagnosis of "farsightedness", you must definitely visit an ophthalmologist, as it is urgent to study the problem and develop treatment.
The main symptoms
Many believe that the first symptoms of hyperopia in children can only be detected if the child has already begun to read, write or watch TV. However, the development of this pathology can be noticed much earlier. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to some features of the behavior of your child. Problems can be if the baby:
- examining objects, bring them as close to their eyes as possible;
- she closes her eyes very much and starts rubbing her eyeballs with her hands;
- in the process of playing with small objects, he leans very strongly towards them (as if he could not make out them);
- it gets tired quickly;
- exhibits severe irritability;
- being in front of a TV or computer monitor, as close to him as possible to see what is happening on the screen.
Also, hyperopia in children can be “predicted” if the baby constantly blinks, refuses some activities that require maximum eye strain, or he often has conjunctivitis in his eyes.
If at least the slightest sign of such a pathology appears, you need to contact an ophthalmologist and clarify whether this condition is normal or serious problems await the baby.
Diagnostics
If parents noticed signs of hyperopia in a child 2-3 years old, then you should not engage in self-diagnosis. If unpleasant symptoms occur, you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist who will conduct the necessary studies.
During the examination, a specialist can use special drops that expand the pupil of the eye. Thanks to this, the lens relaxes, which allows the specialist to consider the real refraction of the eye.
In some situations, you have to deal with hidden impairment of visual function. In this case, the condition of this organ is significantly worsened. Parents should sound the alarm if the child manifests very strong irritability, headaches and general worsening of the condition, which do not have, at first glance, visible reasons.
In such situations, you need to undergo a full examination. If we talk about diagnostic methods, first of all, the specialist asks the baby to read the signs indicated on the special tables, closing each eye in turn. This will help determine the degree of hyperopia that the child suffers from.
Then, using a special computer, the optics of the eyes is checked. Today this is the most accurate method to determine the degree of hyperopia. At the end of the test, the equipment gives a result in which the number of diopters for each eye of the baby will be indicated. Also, using modern equipment, you can determine the optical power. If necessary, a special additional examination is carried out, for example, by ultrasound (to determine the condition of the fundus).
If we talk about the treatment of hyperopia of both eyes in a child or with damage to only one visual organ, then it always depends on the degree of general condition of the baby, as well as on individual characteristics.
Occlusion
In this case, we are talking about the treatment of the so-called lazy eye. In order to provoke the work and development of the visual organ, which turned out to be weaker, the child needs to wear a special occlusive dressing for a certain period of time (the duration is determined by the doctor).
After excluding a healthy eye from the visual act, the baby's vision improves significantly.
Hardware treatment
If the degree of damage is negligible, then in this case, you can resort to similar therapeutic measures. Hardware treatment can be carried out no more than five times in 12 months. If in the process there is a positive dynamics, then in the future the visual organs recover quite quickly.
However, there are often situations when you can not do without glasses.
Optical correction
As a rule, this method of treatment is prescribed if the baby suffers from an average or high degree of farsightedness. In this situation, the child will have to wear glasses on an ongoing basis.
Of course, no parent wants his child to use this unattractive accessory. However, you must understand that if you do not take this step, then the pathology can develop into a squint, which will have to be treated with a blindfold in order to activate the muscles of the eyeball.
Also, optical correction is prescribed if the baby has already reached the age at which such symptoms can not be considered normal. In addition, you will have to wear glasses with:
- worsening visual acuity;
- constant fatigue of the eye muscles;
- large differences in visual acuity.
How long do you need to use glasses
With farsightedness, the duration of such a correction depends on certain factors. If hyperopia is diagnosed to a young child and the development of the disease is at an initial stage, then in this case glasses can only be used periodically. For example, when the baby is reading.
With a high degree of farsightedness, it is recommended to use correctors throughout the day. The duration of such therapy depends on how quickly the baby's vision is restored. If the pathology is in an advanced stage or when it comes to a hereditary disease, then it is likely that the glasses will need to be used throughout life. However, thanks to modern equipment, today it is possible to restore vision with the help of laser surgery. Only such operations are not performed when it comes to a small child, so you have to wait.
Prevention
Having considered the stages of hyperopia in children (what is it when the baby does not see objects well), it is also worth voicing several recommendations that can prevent visual impairment. First of all, the kid’s room should have a rather bright light. If he reads or draws at a table, a lamp should be installed on it, the light of which will be directed to a book or album.
Do not allow your child to spend much time in front of the TV or at the computer. The baby should not be allowed to look at the screen at the wrong angle. It is also worth asking the pediatrician to show the baby standard exercises that are recommended to be performed periodically. Thanks to gymnastics, you can strengthen the eye muscles.
The diet of the baby should always be fresh fruits and vegetables. Do not allow the baby to consume a lot of sweets, soda and other junk food. It is worth making sure that the child receives all the necessary vitamins and mineral components. Massage, sports and hardening will help strengthen the immune system and keep the baby's whole body toned.