Eye Health

EYE TURN also known as Strabismus

Evidence:

Opthtalmological problems associated with preterm birth. CLICK HERE to read article.
A R O'Connor, C M Wilson, A R Fielder. 

…The age at onset of strabismus in low birth weight children is variable, from the first few months of life to many years later. This variation has implications on the planning of long-term surveillance and care for low birth weight infants, in terms of when to assess the child. It would be beneficial if risk factors for the development of strabismus were identified, to minimise assessments required for maximum capture…

The psychosocial aspects of strabismus in teenagers and adults and the impact of surgical correction.

…Strabismus surgery in teenagers to restore ocular alignment has a significant effect on patients’ self-esteem and self-confidence in patients with childhood-onset strabismus…

Education:

Normal vision means that there are no problems focusing, tracking or visualization with depth perception. The visual system reaches full development in the first 7 years of life including stereopsis or 3D vision, this is where both eyes are working together.  Vision needs to be checked and maintained from birth to help maintain it is present throughout life.  

When a baby is born with a very low birth weight <1000 grams or born very early this can affect long term eye health. Being born premature leaves baby’s at risk for

Strabismus or also known as Eye Turn, Squint Eye or Crossed eyes, this is a condition in which both eyes do not look at the same target at the same time.

By now you would be aware that your son or daughter has a lazy eye (amblyopia) which can be caused by a squint. Lazy eye is treated by either patching or eye drops. Strabismus may have been treated with patching or possibly surgery before 7 years of  age. 

Empowerment:

Good eye health is important to everyone. Sometimes when we have a traumatic start to life with our children that are born too early or sick, finding out that there might be an issue relating back to their prematurity or birth can bring back feelings of anxiety and worry but our self-talk is important and self- reassurance that this is something that is treatable. You are not alone.

World Sight Day (WSD) is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

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