August Is Child Eye Health and Safety Month
Every child deserves to see the world clearly. August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, making it an ideal time to understand the leading causes of pediatric retinal disease, as well as the symptoms to look for. There are three primary causes of retinal disease in children: genetic retinal disorders, issues related to prematurity, and trauma.
Genetic Retinal Disorders
Genetic retinal disorders are passed through families and include:
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP): Retinitis pigmentosa affects the rods and cones in the retina, causing them to deteriorate. This results in a slow but steady loss of peripheral and central vision, as well as worsening of night vision and problems with color perception.
- Stargardt disease: Also known as juvenile macular degeneration, Stargardt disease is a rare genetic disorder in which the macula, the oval-shaped area at the center of the retina that controls central vision, deteriorates, leading to worsening of vision over time. Stargardt disease typically manifests in older children, teens, and young adults.
- Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR): This hereditary eye disorder disrupts the normal development of blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems. It's characterized by incomplete or abnormal blood vessel growth, which can potentially lead to retinal detachment, vision loss, and other complications.
- Juvenile retinoschisis: Also known as X-linked retinoschisis, juvenile retinoschisis is inherited through a recessive genetic mutation. Patients typically experience a decline in vision early in life, which may later stabilize. However, during late adulthood, vision often deteriorates again.
- Choroideremia: This rare, X-linked recessive form of hereditary retinal degeneration causes a gradual loss of vision, starting with childhood night blindness, followed by a loss of peripheral vision, and progressing to a loss of central vision later in life.
- Achromatopsia: People with this rare hereditary eye condition have a limited number or a complete absence of functioning photoreceptors in the retina. As a result, they cannot perceive color and are only able to see in shades of black, white, and gray.
- Cone-rod dystrophy: In cone-rod dystrophy, the cone and rod cells in the retina deteriorate, leading to progressive vision loss over time. This condition typically manifests in childhood through symptoms such as decreased visual acuity and increased sensitivity to light.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
A baby's eyes develop around the sixth week of gestation, but they become larger and more complex with age. If a baby is born before 32 gestational weeks or weighs less than 3.3 lbs., they're more likely to develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This potentially blinding condition is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. ROP is a progressive condition that is categorized into five stages, varying from mild to severe.
Pediatric Eye Trauma
Any injury to a child's eye requires immediate medical care. Common causes include blunt trauma (like a fist or ball), penetrating trauma (like a stick or pencil), and chemical burns (like household cleaner or chlorine). To prevent pediatric eye trauma, pay close attention to children during play, encourage the use of appropriate eye protection during sports or other activities, and store cleaners and other chemicals safely out of children’s reach.
Symptoms of Pediatric Retinal Conditions
Pediatric retinal conditions can present in several ways, with some symptoms being more noticeable than others. Common signs include difficulty reading, poor night vision, and sudden vision loss. White pupils, sensitivity to light, and trouble tracking moving objects are other indicators to look out for. Younger children may struggle to communicate issues with their vision effectively, so it’s essential to remain vigilant and seek help at the first sign of retinal problems.
Treating Pediatric Retinal Conditions
Treating pediatric retinal conditions requires a range of approaches, including medication, laser therapy, and surgery, all tailored to the specific condition and its progression. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for preserving or improving vision in children with retinal issues. In many cases, there is no formal treatment currently available. However, numerous clinical studies are focused on finding cures and improving treatment options for these conditions.
Learn More About Child Eye Health
The earlier a child receives care for a retinal condition, the better their vision outcomes will be. At Vitreoretinal Consultants of NY, our experienced retina specialists can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including pediatric retinal disease.
Vitreoretinal Consultants is proud to be one of the largest retina practices serving patients in Elmhurst, NY, Flushing, NY, Great Neck, NY, Hauppauge, NY, Scarsdale, NY, Riverhead, NY, Rockville Centre, NY, Shirley, NY, New City, NY, and Westbury, NY. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.