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How to Respond to Child Injuries? Useful Insights for Parents

best pediatric ophthalmologist in Kolkata

Kids often injure their eyes while playing. Most eye injuries are minor and can be treated at home but some injuries may need immediate medical attention. Minor injuries could be soap going into the eyes or dirt inside an eye. Major injuries can happen due to a fall or maybe playing during some games such as baseball, basketball, hockey, and kabaddi. As a leading eye hospital in West Bengal, we share useful insights for parents on how to respond to a child with an eye injury and when you should consult paediatric eye doctor:

1. Signs and symptoms of an eye injury:

      •  The child has redness in and around the eyes
      • The child may have a stinging and burning sensation in the eye
      • He or she is experiencing constant watering from the eyes
      • He or she is experiencing sensitivity to light
      • There’s swelling of the eyelid 
      •  The child is experiencing blurred vision
      • There’s discolouration around the eyes of the child.

     

    2. Foreign particles inside the eyes:

If your child complains about some foreign particles such as dirt, small insect and soap inside the eye or experiencing minor irritation, here’s what you can do:

  • First, wash your hands before touching your child’s eye area
  • Ask your child to not rub as it may worsen the situation
  • Flush the eyes with clean water.
  • Pull down the lower lid and gently put water over the eyes, it will bring out the foreign particle from the eyes
  • Again flush the eyes with cold water or put on the cold gel eye mask to provide relief, once the foreign particle is removed

    3. Situations when your child needs to see a paediatric eye doctor
  • If there is something stuck in the eyeball of your child
  • Situations when the eye got hit by a ball or other heavy object
  • Severe irritation in the eyes could be due to some eye infection
  • Visible redness in and around the eyes
  • Experiencing continuous eye pain
  • Swollen eye area
  • If your child is experiencing sudden light sensitivity
  • If your child is experiencing difficulty in seeing objects
  • If your child gets chemicals into the eyes
  • Bleeding or blood clots inside the eyes

In any of the above cases, it is advisable to take your child immediately to the nearest eye hospital for immediate medical care. Parents should not delay as the eyes are one of the most sensitive body parts and need special care.

Here’s a useful read on questions you should ask your child’s eye doctor to make the most out of your appointment. Remember, if your child has no problem in the eyes, even then you must take them for an annual eye examination. 

 If you live in Kolkata and searching the internet with terms such as “ paediatric eye doctor near me”, or “best pediatric ophthalmologist in Kolkata”, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We are among the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata. We have a dedicated paediatric ophthalmology unit. Our paediatric doctors treat paediatric strabismus, paediatric cataracts, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity and paediatric glaucoma. Find the nearest branch to book an appointment with our doctors. 

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Eye Healthy Habits For Your Kids

Having healthy eyes and vision can have a significant impact on your kid’s overall life be it socially and academically. Hence, it’s important to teach your child about eye health from a young age as it can go a long way in keeping his or her eyes healthy. Here are some simple eye care tips that promote good eye health among children:

Eat an eye-healthy diet: Just like the rest of the body, their eyes too need proper nutrition. As the eyes are developing, you must encourage your child to eat healthy food. Make sure your child’s diet is well-balanced and rich in nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Eggs, fish and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are good for their overall health as well as their eye health. Foods like sweet potatoes, mangoes, apricots and carrots are a great source of Vitamin A that helps the eye’s ability to adjust to the darkness.

 

  • Schedule regular eye exam: When a child is experiencing eye issues, it is quite possible he or she may not be able to explain the symptoms properly. Thus, keep an eye on symptoms like constant eye rubbing, holding the book to close, trouble reading the blackboard and squinting. Get your child’s eyes routinely checked as this can help detect issues early and keep children’s vision healthy.

 

  • Ensure accurate eyewear: If your children wear spectacles, make sure they wear them always and not just while studying. Make sure the glasses are made according to an ophthalmologist’s prescription and keep the numbers updated. Make sure you take into consideration your child’s comfort and vision clarity. Children may not be very careful with contact lenses or eyeglasses. Make sure you help them.

 

  • Use eye protection: Your child’s eyes need to be protected from UV rays when they step outdoors. A good quality pair of sunglasses can protect your child’s eyes from UV rays and prevent dust particles from entering the eyes. Also, make sure that they wear protective eyewear when they go swimming or playing sports.

 

  • Limit screen time: In today’s digital age, children spend a lot of time in front of screens, be it a tablet or a computer. The first thing you should do is to prevent your child from holding these digital devices too close to their eyes. Make sure the device is placed on a table and the distance between the eyes and the screen is at least 20 inches. Make sure that they take regular breaks from the screen.

 

  • Discourage eye rubbing: Children tend to rub their eyes. Rubbing the eyes not only can damage the eyes but it also increases the risk of infections like conjunctivitis if the hands are not clean. To keep eye infections at bay, encourage your child to wash his or her hands, especially when they come from outside.

If you think your child is facing any eye-related problems, consult the best paediatric ophthalmologists in Kolkata at Disha Eye Hospitals. Children with eye problems often struggle with learning and may suffer from a lack of coordination when playing sports. Regular eye checkup will give your child a better chance at treatment. We offer a wide range of paediatric ophthalmology services. The ambience of the Paediatric unit is relaxed and welcoming. We ensure a trouble and hassle-free eye check-up for your children.

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Cataracts In Babies And Children: What To Know

When it comes to cataract, the eye condition is generally thought to be associated with older age. However, it could very well affect infants and children. Therefore, it is important to take your child to regular eye checkups so that the presence of early symptoms is detected. This preventive measure will prove beneficial in your child’s early treatment.

1) Causes of cataract in infants and children

There are several reasons that can cause the unborn baby to develop cataract during the mother’s pregnancy period. One of the common causes being the family history of the eye condition. If the father or the mother-to-be has a cataract, the odds are high that the baby too will develop it.

The baby can also develop a cataract if the mother contracts an infection during pregnancy, such as measles, influenza, herpes zoster, syphilis, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, or chickenpox, visit https://suriaplasticsurgery.com/valtrex-valacyclovir/. Chromosomal problems like Down syndrome might also cause congenital cataract.

In young children, cataract could occur due to factors such as eye injury, radiation treatment, diabetes, and the use of steroids.

2) Identifying cataract symptoms in your child

As mentioned above, children may not be aware of problems in their eyes until they experience difficulties in seeing properly. In some cases, it’s possible to notice cataracts in children. Cataracts look like grey spots in the eyes’ lens; they can also look like a reflection inside the pupil.

However, in many cases, cataracts may not be visible. If your child is experiencing vision problems due to cataract, they may face difficulty in recognising certain shapes, colours, or experience vision decline in dimly-lit areas. Other signs of cataract to look out for in your child is the ability to discern certain things from a close distance, in order to see properly. You would know it is difficult for them if they start rubbing their eyes, or blink too often.

If you happen to be in Kolkata, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. Disha has a team of expert eye doctors, including paediatric eye care specialists, who would help in detecting cataract right away, or any other eye conditions that may arise. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

3) Treatment

If your child has a mild form of cataract which doesn’t affect their vision, it may not need to be removed. However, if the eye condition is hindering vision and interfering with your child’s day to day life, it is advisable to get it treated. Many parents assume that medicines or glasses could cure cataract but at present, the only treatment for cataracts is surgery; the surgeon replaces the clouded lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens. Glasses can be used after the surgery for a clear vision.

Wish to know about Cataract surgeries in Kolkata? Consult the eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals

Consult one of Disha’s paediatric eye doctors to know whether cataract surgery is the right treatment option for your child (in case they have been diagnosed with the said condition).