Since babies and children up to the age of 7 often do not report their complaints to us, "Eye examination in children" should be considered within the scope of routine screening and control examinations. In other words; Babies should be evaluated even if they have no complaints. The general rule is that an eye examination should be performed at the first moment when the baby can be evaluated physically. During routine check-ups of babies, age-appropriate evaluations must be made. In the period up to 6 months, all babies should have eye movement and drift tests, fundus examinations and optical (visual acuity) defect detection examinations with devices specially designed for developed babies. It is the responsibility of the pediatrician or family physician who keeps the baby under control to complete the first eye examinations, which include careful clinical observation, and to inform the families about these regular eye checks that will continue in later periods of life. Vision development in children from newborn to 10 years of age. In the first 6 months, the development of the eye and its associated nerve pathways progresses very rapidly, providing the baby with vision up to 7/10, but of course the development does not stop there and continues, although slower, until the age of 4. The development of the visual pathways' sheath is completed around the age of 4, and the development of the brain parts responsible for vision is completed between the ages of 4 and 10. It is important to know and control the normal stages of vision development during the newborn period and the first 6 months. In a 1-month-old baby, the eyes should now be aligned normally. This period may rarely extend up to 3 months, and in this month the child should be able to follow objects up and down, and monocular vision can be detected in this month. By the 6th month, binocular vision is now well established. The baby should be able to look in all directions without restriction. The baby's horizontal corneal diameters should be measured and recorded if possible. This corneal diameter determination is important in the early diagnosis of congenital and infancy eye pressure problems.
Lazy vision usually affects one eye and the child cannot complain because he is not aware that this is not normal. This situation increases the importance of routine eye examination. Can be treated with early diagnosis Lazy vision is very difficult to treat after the age of 7. Effective results can rarely be achieved in treatments after the age of 7.
It will be impossible for a person who has suffered significant loss of vision in one or both eyes as a result of lazy vision to do the profession he/she wants in the future (such as piloting, surgery, driving, professional sports) and will not be able to get a driver's license. It will become difficult to obtain even vital documents such as.
We can list the eye diseases for which early diagnosis and treatment in infancy are very important as follows.
Optical defects and amblyopia
Congenital. cataracts
Tear duct obstructions
Strabismus
Congenital retina and choroid diseases
Eye tumors
Congenital glaucoma
Corneal diseases
Among these diseases, the tumor called retinoblastoma appears on average at the age of 18 months and often manifests itself with "shifting in the eyes". In this case, early diagnosis can be lifesaving, let alone saving the eye. It is impossible for the family itself to detect a retinal tumor in the early stages. By the time the family detects it (usually the family may apply with a complaint of misalignment in the eye), the tumor has progressed and the treatment method and success can be negatively affected by this situation. Around 2-2.5 years of age is the age range in which a type of strabismus that we call accommodative strabismus occurs. Early treatment is again very important in this case. Congenital glaucoma and cataracts are other groups of eye diseases for which early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Ideal routine eye examination periods recommended for babies and children:
At birth
6. per month
12. per month
18. per month
2. age
3. age
Until school age
Every year.
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