Astigmatism is “common” in children with vision problems.
Refractive errors are one of the most common causes of visual problems in children. It is important, therefore, to be aware of what they are and how your child might present with them, so that you can get them the help that they need.
So, What Are Refractive Errors and How Does Astigmatism Fit into the Picture?
The eye is designed to take the light bouncing off an object, e.g. A flower, and bend it in such a way that it perfectly strikes the most sensitive part of the eye. This area is called the macula and forms part of the retina.
The retina is a delicate layer of cells that lines the back of the eye. It is able to translate this precisely directed stream of light into signals that are then sent to the brain. The brain then creates a clear picture from these signals and the child ‘sees’ a flower. If the eye is unable to bend the light accurately onto the macula, clear messages will not be sent to the brain, and the image formed will not be of a beautiful flower but of a fuzzy blur.
The word used to describe how the various structures in the eye bend light, is the term “refraction”. When there is a problem with one or more of these structures, and the light is not bent precisely, the child is said to have a “refractive error”. There are several different types of refractive errors.
These are: far-sightedness, near-sightedness, the loss of near vision with age and astigmatism.
Astigmatism can occur on its own or together with one of the other types of refractive errors. The two important parts of anatomy in the eye that bend light are the cornea (the clear, round window at the front of the eye) and the lens.
If the cornea and or the lens are not shaped correctly or if there is damage to their substance, the light passing through them is scattered and the image that the brain ‘sees’ is fuzzy, regardless of how near or far the child is from the object. This is called astigmatism.
Many very young children have astigmatism due to the very round shape of their corneas. As they grow, their corneas grow too and, in most cases,, the astigmatism resolves. Roughly 9% of these children, however, will still have some degree of astigmatism that will need treatment..
Signs to Watch Out for In Your Child
Who Should You See For Assessment?
Children should have routine assessments at 6 months of age, at three years of age and then again at around 5 years of age or just before starting school.
This can be done by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
These assessments ensure that any ‘hidden’ problems are picked up and treated before they limit the child’s development.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above at any other time during your child’s growth, contact your nearest ophthalmologist for an appointment. Remember to book it at a time in the day when your child is alert and has had something to eat.
What Tests Will Be Done By My Ophthalmologist?
The ophthalmologist will first establish just how far your child can see. In very young children, the doctor will use a specialised torch called a retinoscope. He or she may also hold up lenses in front of each of the child’s eyes and then shine the light of the retinoscope through these lenses onto the eye to determine how far the child can see and if a refractive error is present.
In older children, picture matching is used to determine how far they can see and school going children identify different sized letters of the alphabet.
In older children, their ability to refract light accurately, is then tested. A device called a phoropter is used. Again, this is a painless procedure done in the doctor’s rooms.
The child’s eyes are then carefully examined. This will include direct observation by the doctor and the use of various scanning equipment that can create three dimensional images of the eye.
All the information from the various tests is combined and the cause, type and degree of severity of the astigmatism is established. From here, the treatment plan is created.
How is Astigmatism Treated?
Most children with astigmatism are treated with glasses and or contact lenses. Should your child need correction, remember to make the process as positive as possible. Focus on the benefits that the child will experience once they can see more clearly. Include them in choosing the frames. Ensure that the frames fit correctly. Any discomfort will discourage the child from wearing them.
As your child grows, the shape of their eyes will change. This means that the prescription for the lenses will change too. Frequent follow ups with the ophthalmologist is therefore very important. In certain cases of astigmatism, surgery is required. If the cornea is the cause, its shape can be altered using, for example, a specialised laser. For severe cases, part of or the entire cornea may need to be replaced. If the lens is the cause, this can be removed, and a synthetic lens inserted. Most cases of astigmatism are easily diagnosed and treating them correctly will have a beneficial impact on your child’s life.
