The irregular curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye is known as astigmatism. In this state, light cannot focus on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. Astigmatism in a child is most often congenital and often occurs in combination with myopia or farsightedness. This is a kind of refraction anomaly, and it is corrected in modern medicine with the help of contact lenses, glasses or surgical intervention. Astigmatism in a child is of three types - myopic, mixed and farsighted. This disease is especially difficult to diagnose in children, and parents should pay attention to the signs and symptoms of this visual disorder. And although astigmatism is often present in a child from birth, nevertheless, it can develop after an injury or eye injury.
Signs and symptoms of astigmatism:
- blurry or distorted image;
- irritation or discomfort in the eyes;
- difficulty focusing your eyes on printed words or lines;
- headache;
- fatigue in the eyes;
- children can tilt or turn their heads to get a clearer picture;
- cannot see objects, both near and far, without squinting.
How to detect myopic or mixed astigmatism in a child?
One of the earliest signs of astigmatism is impaired visual perception of words and letters written on a blackboard. If a child frowns, looking at distant objects, or brings a book too close to his eyes while reading, then he may suffer from astigmatism. The child may also have difficulty reading and a low level of concentration. There are complaints of blurred vision and headache. It is best to consult an optometrist who can help diagnose the problem, if any.
Treatment of astigmatism in a child
Myopic astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, lenses, and eye surgery. Corrective lenses compensate for irregular curvature of the cornea so that the image focuses correctly on the retina. Both types of corrective lenses - glasses and contact lenses - are used to treat astigmatism.
Surgical treatment includes the Lasik technique and keratotomy. Using the first technique, the shape of the cornea is changed by removing tissue using a laser beam, which improves the refraction of light and, therefore, the formation of a clear image. Keratotomy is the removal of tissues directly from the surface of the eye, which leads to a change in their curvature, and, therefore, vision correction.
In addition, if the child has a mild form of the disease, you can use therapeutic exercises. Special exercises for the eyes will help strengthen their muscles, improve concentration and, accordingly, vision.
Astigmatism is usually a hereditary disease and is mostly congenital. May occur in young children and usually decreases with age. The child is not able to explain his vision of the disorder, so early diagnosis is difficult. Thus, it is necessary to carry out preventive checks with an ophthalmologist so that as early as possible to detect any deviations in vision and begin timely treatment.