Spotting Eye Problems In Children

For most people, August marks the final month of summer – hot, hazy days, warm nights and the Dog Days of summer.

But for the staff at Clara Maass Medical Center (CMMC) in Belleville, August signifies Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. During August, the hospital tries to spread awareness about the risks and preventative steps regarding children’s eye health. 

Though most eye problems in children can be corrected if detected and treated early, it is possible for a child to have a serious vision problem and be unaware of it. To prevent eye injuries in children, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand the most common dangers such as the misuse of toys, accidental falls, mishandling of sharp objects such as pens and forks, contact with harmful household products and sports injuries.

“Certain eye problems, if left untreated, even for a short time, can lead to permanent vision loss, so it is important to maintain appropriate eye care and attend regular check-ups,” said Anthony Caputo, MD, Medical Director, The Children’s Eye Care Center of New Jersey at CMMC.

According to Prevent Blindness America, immediate medical help should be obtained if a child shows any of these signs or symptoms:

• Obvious pain or trouble seeing
• Cuts or tears in the eyelid
• One eye does not move as well as the other, or one sticks out more than the other
• Unusual pupil shape or size
• Blood in the clear part of the eye
• Something in the eye or under the eyelid that cannot be easily removed

To help avoid potential everyday eye injuries, parents and caregivers of small children should use safety gates on stairs to prevent falls, pad sharp corners on furniture, place locks on drawers and cabinets that contain harmful substances and keep sharp objects out of reach. Protective goggles and helmets should be worn when playing sports.

In addition, children are at an even higher risk of the sun’s UV rays’ harmful effects, as their eyes do not yet have the same ability as adults do to better protect against UV radiation. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses large enough to shield children’s eyes from most angles are recommended.

For more information about The Children’s Eye Care Center of New Jersey at CMMC, call (973) 450-5913. For a physician referral, call (888) 724-7123 or click here.