Kids Eye Health & Safety Music Teachers Association

Vision is an incredible gift

Photo-screening using automated computer devices can now detect many ocular problems at a young age. Many pediatricians and Lions Clubs use these devices from age 12 to 72 months to determine if one or both eyes are out of focus, or if problems such as cataracts are present. Amblyopia is loss of vision in one (or both eyes) and is the most common causes of visual loss under age 50. It is present in two to five percent of all persons. This problem is caused by one (or both) eyes being out of focus and requiring glasses, or an eye that deviates and is not used. Serious amblyo-

BY DR. ALAN RICHARDS for Kids ision is an incredible gift pia can be caused by cataracts that occur at birth or during childhood. Amblyopia can usually be successfully treated with patching, glasses, eye drops, or, at times, surgery for an eye that deviates and is not quite well, but good eyesight is required being used. see the world clearly in three dimensions Ocular injuries account for one-third of all eye-related emergency department visits in the US each year. Common causes of eye Your child’s first eye exam should occur injury are: or she shine a light into the eye to make �������� Blows from hands, balls, or other sports equipment �������� Falls upon sharp toys �������� Bungee cords pediatrician should check that your child �������� Paint ball: failure to wear protective normally follows objects by age two to mask (very common) four (or two to four months past the due �������� Airsoft: lack of mandatory eye protection (airsoft shoots plastic Eyes should be lined up with one another pellets up to 590 ft per sec) �������� Pellet guns ophthalmologist (Eye MD) should be �������� Throw from sports balls, sticks, glass or metal item, sharp toys �������� Chemicals: hand sanitizer, pool supplies ( �������� Fireworks: Children should never have access to illegal or legal fireworks. (cause serious damage) from age 12 to 72 months to determine if Blunt trauma to the eye can cause a broone or both eyes are out of focus, or if prob ken blood vessel inside the eye leading to blood accumulation inside the eye called a Amblyopia is loss of vision in one (or both hyphema. The blood can lead to increased pressure inside the eye and permanent sual loss under age 50. It is present in two loss of vision if not treated properly. to five percent of all persons. This problem Common Signs of Eye Injury include: is caused by one (or both) eyes being out of �������� Ongoing pain in the eye �������� Trouble seeing �������� Cut or torn eyelid

pia can be caused by cataracts that occur at birth or during childhood. Amblyopia can usually be successfully treated with patching, glasses, eye drops, or, at times, surgery for an eye that deviates and is not being used. Ocular injuries account for one-third of all eye-related emergency department visits in the US each year. Common causes of eye injury are:

ken blood vessel inside the eye leading to hyphema. The blood can lead to increased loss of vision if not treated properly.

�������� One eye does not move as well as the other �������� One eye sticks out of the eye socket farther than the other �������� Eye has an unusual pupil size or shape: look at the pupil to see if it is round. If not, a serious eye injury is likely present �������� Blood in the clear part of the eye Blood in the clear part of the eye �������� Foreign body in the eye (or Foreign body in the eye (or under the eyelid) causing tears and blinking can't remove

�������� Eye pain �������� A feeling that something is stuck in your eye �������� Tearing

your eye, you may see a spot of blood, a scratched line or an area of general redness on your conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and under the eyelid) or sclera (white part of eye).

nea (the clear, round dome at the front of the eye, that covers the iris and pupil) you the eye, that covers the iris and pupil) you may experience more severe symptoms: �������� Blurry vision �������� Sensitivity to light �������� Headache This is called a corneal abrasion and it can permanently affect your vision. It's important to see an ophthalmologist (Eye important to see an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) right away. If you experience signifi-MD) right away. If you experience signifi cant pain, have trouble seeing or are worried about your eye, go to the emergency room. with tears and blinking. Let your eyes try

Getting sand, dirt, dust or other small natural particles in your eye is usually not an emergency. Our eyes are very good at flushing out these kinds of particles with tears and blinking. Let your eyes try to take care of the particles naturally before doing anything else. Irrigation can be helpful.

be more serious. These kinds of objects can become embedded in the surface of the eye and cause ongoing irritation and more damage. �������� DO NOT rub the eye. �������� Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle. �������� Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid to let the eyelashes try to brush the particle out. �������� Use eyewash, saline solution or running tap water to flush the eye out.

�������� See a doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible If you can't get the particles out of your eye or if it still feels like there’s something in your eye after you've gotten the material out.

�������� Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water.

See a doctor or go to the emergency �������� Look for information on the room as soon as possible If you can't chemical that got into the eye as get the particles out of your eye or if it still feels like there’s something in your eye after you've gotten the certain chemicals cause more eye damage than others. �������� If pain, redness or loss of vision is present, seek emergency medical Immediately flush the eye with treatment or see an ophthalmologist plenty of clean water. (Eye MD) immediately.

chemical that got into the eye as damage than others. present, seek emergency medical

We’re here for you and your family through the stages of life, with the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield. The Right Card. The Right Care.

�������� DO NOT touch, rub or apply touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye. pressure to the eye. �������� DO NOT try to remove any objects stuck in the eye. stuck in the eye. �������� DO NOT apply ointment or medication to the eye. medication to the eye. �������� �������� Over-the-counter eye drops can be Over-the-counter eye drops can be more painful or make the injury worse. more painful or make the injury worse. �������� Prescription medications should only Prescription medications should only be used for exactly the condition be used for exactly the condition they were prescribed for, not for they were prescribed for, not for emergency treatment. emergency treatment. �������� See a doctor as soon as possible, an See a doctor as soon as possible, an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) if you can. �������� If you cannot get to an If you cannot get to an ophthalmologist right away, go to ophthalmologist right away, go to the emergency room. the emergency room.

Alan Richards, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at LSU Health Shreveport. August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month.

01MK7677 02/22