The VIIO Child Eye Care Project

To prevent blindness children's vision screenings are an accurate, cost-effective way to find vision problems in children. Children rarely understand if something is wrong with them. Unless they are hurt or ill, most of the times they tend to be reckless and disregard any safety measures to keep themselves out of trouble. Eyes are extremely delicate and any damage to them could not be treated as easily as you think. Children eye care is an essential thing. Rather than reactive, taking proactive measures is essential to prevent vision problems and ensuring a trouble-free childhood. Eyes are our window to the world and children gain a lot of information by just observing and seeing everything around them.

1. DEVELOPMENTAL CATARACT:

A 5 month old male baby was evaluated at our hospital on 20.08.2019 by Dr.Bhargavi Murali (vitreo-retinal consultant) and Dr.Seema A V (paediatric Ophthalmology consultant). During visual acuity examination the baby was unable to fix and follow light in both eyes. Anterior segment examination showed white reflex in pupillary area in both eyes. The child was diagnosed to have developmental total cataract in both eyes. A cataract is any light scattering opacity of the lens. The majority of bilateral congenital or infantile cataracts not associated with a syndrome have no identifiable cause. Genetic mutation is likely the most common cause. If the cataract is felt to be visually significant, surgical intervention is the only option. The timing of surgery is critical for visual development. The child was advised to undergo BOTH EYES LENSECTOMY + ANTRIOR VITRECTOMY + POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA. The child underwent right eye surgery on 06.09.2019 and left eye on 17.10.2019. As on 04.11.2019 the child is doing well and is able to fix and follow light in both eyes. The child has been advised for glasses checkup.

2. STRABISMUS - Misalignment of eyes: It is a disorder in which the eyes don't look in exactly the same direction at the same time. Causes of strabismus can include nerve injury or dysfunction of the muscles controlling the eye. Crossed eyes can usually be corrected with early treatment. Several treatment options exist to align the eyes. They include special eye wear, use of an eye patch and surgery.

A 4 year old male child was seen at our hospital on 22.08.2019 by paediatric Ophthalmologist. On examination the child’s parents informed of noticing squinting since 10 months of age. The child was diagnosed to have alternating esotropia. Alternating esotropia is a lazy eye condition which allows fixating with either eye, but not at the same time. A surgery will help to fuse the image of both eyes. The child was advised to undergo BOTH EYES SQUINT CORRECTION SURGERY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA. The child underwent the suggested surgery on 11.10.2019. As on 04.11.2019 the child is doing well and glasses has been suggested.