My child is constantly having problems with their eyes, what can I do?
January 8, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Benjamin Meier
Dear team of the online consultation,
My name is Dennis Hohenadel and I am concerned about my child, who constantly has problems with their eyes. My child is 5 years old and for some time I have noticed that they often rub their eyes and complain about seeing blurry or experiencing eye pain. Additionally, I have noticed that they blink frequently and their eyelids are often swollen.
I am very worried about my daughter's health and I wonder what could be the cause of these eye problems. I have already tried to reduce screen time and ensure that she takes regular breaks, but the symptoms do not seem to be improving.
Could you please tell me what possible causes there could be for these eye problems in children? Are there specific tests that should be done to find the cause? And what measures can I take to alleviate my child's symptoms and prevent long-term damage?
I thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Dennis Hohenadel
Dear Dennis Hohenadel,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise as a pediatrician. It is understandable that you are concerned about your child's eyes, especially if they frequently complain of issues such as blurry vision, eye pain, frequent blinking, and swollen eyelids. These symptoms may indicate various eye problems in children that need to be examined.
One possible cause of your child's complaints could be a vision problem. It is possible that your child is nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic, which can make it difficult for them to see things clearly at a distance or up close. A professional eye examination conducted by an ophthalmologist can help determine if there is a vision problem and take appropriate measures, such as prescribing glasses or contact lenses.
Another possible cause of your child's eye problems could be an eye infection. Infections can be triggered by various factors such as infections or allergies and can lead to symptoms like red, swollen, or watery eyes. In this case, it is important to visit an ophthalmologist to determine the exact cause of the infection and receive appropriate treatment.
Additionally, your child's complaints could also be caused by excessive screen time. Constantly staring at screens, whether from phones, tablets, or computers, can strain the eyes and lead to symptoms like dry eyes, eye strain, and headaches. It is important for your child to take regular breaks and spend enough time outdoors to relieve the eyes.
To accurately determine the cause of your child's eye problems, I strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist. The specialist can conduct a thorough examination and, if necessary, order additional tests such as a vision test or a slit-lamp examination to make an accurate diagnosis.
In the meantime, you can try to alleviate your child's complaints by ensuring they get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise regularly. Additionally, warm compresses can help soothe swollen eyelids, and special eye drops can help with dry or irritated eyes.
I hope this information helps you and contributes to your child's speedy recovery. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or need additional support.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Meier
