Most Common Eye Problems in Children

Vision problems are common among school-age kids and there are many eye diseases and conditions that can affect a child’s vision. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four school-age children have vision problems that, if left untreated, can affect learning ability, personality and school adjustment.

Listen to an ophthalmologist discuss common eye problems in children

In today’s episode, we talk with Emily McCourt, MD to unpack the most common eye conditions in children and front-line screening in the primary care office.

Dr. McCourt is an ophthalmologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is Associate Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our expert discusses:

• What primary care providers should be doing to screen for eye disease
• Possible early indicators of congenital glaucoma and consideration of corneal diameters
• The red reflex test and effective strategies for getting newborns to open their eyes
• The Brückner light reflex and what a different quality of red in the eyes might indicate
• Differentiating between strabismus and amblyopia and how they correlate
• Testing for strabismus, treatment and why even occasional cross-eye should be examined
• Farsightedness in children, the amblyogenic age range and the timing of treatment
• Nasolacrimal duct stenosis and the prevalence of unilateral versus bilateral
• Treatment of dacryocystitis and nasolacrimal duct obstruction and when surgery is required
• Bacterial overgrowth versus bacterial infection in nasolacrimal duct stenosis
• Distinguishing between viral, bacterial and allergic-type conjunctivitis
• Recognizing chlamydia or gonorrhea conjunctivitis in the first month of life
• Infections around the eye, different types of styes and home remedies for minor cases
• Considerations for preseptal and orbital cellulitis and visual acuity testing

Treatment of pediatric eye problems at Children’s Colorado

Our ophthalmologists are board-certified and fellowship-trained in pediatric ophthalmology. Our multidisciplinary approach to care means that pediatric eye specialists are able to easily access and consult with experts throughout the hospital to ensure children with multiple or contributing medical conditions receive the best care possible.