Getting an eye check-up done at a pre-school age can not only help detect vision problems among children early in life but also take corrective measures for a long-term solution, paediatric ophthalmologist in Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital T. Suparna has said.
More than 60 children were screened at a free eye check-up camp at the foundation’s Akkayyapalem City Centre on Sunday.
Elaborating on the common eyesight issues among children, Dr. Suparna said that parents should be alert to identify vision related problems among children.
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“Sometimes, children watch television from a very close distance. This can be an indicator that she/he is not able to see properly,” she said.
Genetic factors
Noting that awareness about vision-related issues had become higher among parents now, she said that the number of cases that were being rectified for vision correction had gone up as a result of high awareness. Genetic factors also play a significant role in vision problems among children. “If a parent has had childhood history of myopic vision, the children must get a yearly check-up done,” she added.
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While refractive error is the most common problem among children, cases of other types of vision impairment such as squint is also high.
“If detected early and treated in time, most of them could be saved from vision defects like squint. So, do not ignore even the slightest visual discomfort of your child,” said Dr. Suparna.
At the screening camp, 13 out of the 64 children screened were referred for further investigations to the base hospital.
Sometimes, children watch television from a very close distance. This can be an indicator that she/he is not able to see properly.
T. Suparna
Paediatric ophthalmologist
Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital conducts free
check-up camp for children at its
city centre in Akkayyapalem