10 Oct 2025

The 5 common eye problems among children

Being a child means being in a crucial stage of development. Their physical health and organs, including their eyes, are rapidly and continuously changing. Paying close attention to their growth can help detect eye problems early. The earlier an eye problem is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat effectively.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
- Caused by poor brain-eye connection, often from muscle imbalance or eye disease.
- Symptoms: Blurred vision, poor depth perception.
- Early treatment is crucial, including treating underlying causes or encouraging use of the weaker eye.
Strabismus (Crossed Eye or Squint)
- Eyes misaligned inward, outward, upward, or downward.
- Symptoms: Squinting, trouble judging distance, closing one eye, dizziness.
- Treatments: Eye patching, glasses, surgery, or exercises.
Refractive Errors: Astigmatism, Nearsightedness (Myopia), Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
- Astigmatism: Irregular cornea curve causing blurred vision at all distances; symptoms include eyestrain and headaches.
- Myopia: Clear near vision but blurry far vision; common in children.
- Hyperopia: Clear distance vision but blurry near vision; often present at birth.
- Treatment: Corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Pediatric Cataracts
- Clouding of the eye lens, congenital or acquired.
- Symptoms: White pupil, misaligned eyes, uncontrolled eye movements, glare, cloudy vision.
- Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent blindness.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
- Mild, contagious infection causing redness, itchiness, discharge, and irritation.
- Usually resolves on its own; treatment with eye drops or ointments can speed recovery.
- Immediate medical care is needed for newborns or if symptoms persist.

Early eye examinations and attentive care during childhood can help detect and treat these conditions effectively, preserving healthy vision development. If you want, I can help you create informational materials or answer specific questions about any of these conditions.