Dorothy FarrarEye pain in children
Eye pain in children can occur for a variety of reasons and vary in intensity. Complications can occur within the growth process that can lead to symptoms. Depending on the cause, the eye pain is only temporary and curable. Some children develop permanent impairments.
What is eye pain?
Eye pain in a child can be triggered by overwork, poor lighting conditions or an illness. Together with a doctor, the causes are researched and measures to alleviate it are initiated.
Children who suffer from eye pain usually show abnormal behavior and are overwhelmed by the situation. In many cases, eye pain can be treated with medication and lead to permanent freedom from symptoms. For some children, surgical interventions in which corrections are made help. Eye pain can also occur as an additional symptom of another disease. Seeing a doctor in good time can help to quickly find the cause of the symptoms and initiate treatment measures.
Causes
The causes of eye pain are very individual. Headaches, tooth problems and even growing pains can affect the ability of the eyes to function and cause pain. Headaches can spread and extend into the eye sockets. If lesions occur on the head or inside the head after an accident or a fall , these can become a trigger for eye pain. If there are complications with the growth of the child’s teeth or jaw, this can lead to sore eyes.In addition, when playing outdoors, eyes may be exposed to foreign objects. Traces of sand become inflammatory triggers, which can lead to damage to the cornea and spread if rubbed. Foreign bodies in the eye are another causative mechanism of eye problems. A congenital impairment of parts of the eye can be one of the causes of the pain.
Malpositions, curvatures, lesions or vessels that are not fully developed trigger the symptoms due to insufficient supply to the eye. Eye pain can also occur with a viral disease. A herpes virus is a common pathogen in children. Colds and the flu can also cause pain.
Poor lighting conditions, working too long on the PC, watching TV or reading can trigger eye pain. It is important for children to have a balance between near and far accommodation throughout the day.
When to the doctor?
A doctor should be consulted as soon as the child complains of pain for several days or weeks. If the symptoms increase in intensity or spread, a doctor should also be consulted. If vision is impaired, medical examinations must be carried out to clarify the cause. In the case of discolouration of the eye, changes in the skin around the eye and swelling , a doctor’s visit is necessary. If the child suffers from other symptoms, such as fever , dizziness or headaches , the complaints should be clarified by a doctor. Watery, bleeding, or itchy eyes also need to be evaluated and treated.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis is only possible after a comprehensive medical examination. Depending on the circumstances that led to the pain, imaging or swabs of the eye’s fluids may provide clarity. The laboratory tests show irregularities and can rule out possible illnesses or narrow down the area of suspicion. Adequate treatment measures can only be carried out after eye tests, a doctor’s inspection and a detailed medical history. In most cases, the pain can be expected to remain constant or increase before the start of treatment. Other symptoms often appear as well. Fatigue , irritability and discomfort often cause mood and behavioral swings.
Complications
If the treatment measures result in the wearing of eye patches or glasses, children often need special emotional support. The visual change in social interactions within a peer group is not always without complications. In addition, children react very differently to the disease and its treatment. Withdrawal behavior is just as possible as tantrums or an aggressive appearance. There may be intolerance to the medication administered. Side effects occur that lead to a deterioration in the previous state of health. In exceptional situations, the causes of eye pain lead to permanent impairment of vision. Partial or total blindness is also possible.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of eye pain in children depends on the cause. If eye pain occurs as a result of contamination (e.g. dust particles), it can be cleaned with clear water. This can usually be done without medical care. In addition, children must be taught not to rub their eyes with dirty fingers.
If there is a bacterial eye infection, antibiotics are often prescribed. In addition, antibiotic eye drops or eye ointments may be used. Depending on the other symptoms, it is possible that the treatment plan includes wearing glasses or an eye patch. The symptoms caused by virus-related eye inflammation (herpes viruses) can be alleviated with antivirals (aciclovir).Injuries to the eye or vessels related to the eye are often treated with surgery. If the eye pain is triggered by another underlying disease, such as tooth and jaw problems, the treatment focuses on this region. As the disease subsides, so does the eye pain, so these are not treated separately. In poor light conditions, the doctor will explain the correct conditions. If the eye pain is caused by too long digital interactions, it must be reduced in a disciplined manner.
Outlook and prognosis
The course of the disease depends on the disease present. There is no uniform course or general prognosis. Contamination of the eye can usually be removed quickly and easily, so that it heals spontaneously. Inflammation is usually treated and leads to complete healing after a few days or weeks. If there are internal injuries or malpositions, an operation is often necessary. If corrections are possible, the symptoms will also be alleviated. However, there is also the possibility that a complete cure will not occur. If the eye is permanently damaged, this can be the case.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, children can practice how they can independently clean their hands. Rubbing your fingers in your eyes can lead to eye pain and should always be avoided. After playing on the sand or outdoors in places with a lot of dust particles in the air, wash your eyes thoroughly with clean water. Care should be taken to use a child-friendly shower gel and shampoo so that no chemicals get into the eyes. Children should also be prohibited from using hairspray or similar products. If the child wears glasses, regular check-ups should be made with a doctor or optician to check for changes in vision.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.