Eye troubles in children: Understanding the reasons, signs, and solutions
Dry eyes in children can be a common issue, causing discomfort and affecting their quality of life. This condition, known as dry eye disease (DED), occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.
Common Causes in Children
Extended screen time is one factor that can contribute to dry eyes in children. Prolonged screen use decreases the blink rate, leading to reduced tear distribution and increased ocular surface exposure and evaporation. Allergies, particularly severe forms of keratoconjunctivitis, can also be a risk factor for DED, causing inflammation and tear film instability. Untreated vision problems, environmental factors like dry air or smoke, and inflammation affecting tear production or quality are other potential causes. Blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, which affect tear quality, are also common causes of DED.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dry eyes in children can include dry, red, or irritated eyes, a feeling of grit or burning, tired eyes, especially after near work or screen use, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
Treatments
Treatment options for dry eyes in children range from home remedies to medications and professional interventions, depending on the severity of the condition. Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide moisture and lubrication, often preservative-free for sensitive eyes. Warm compresses can help release oils from blocked glands to stabilize the tear film. Eyelid hygiene, such as gentle cleaning with diluted baby shampoo, can reduce blepharitis. Limiting screen time, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and using humidifiers at home can also help maintain eye moisture.
Medical treatments may include prescription eye drops such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast for inflammation, punctal plugs to reduce tear drainage, or other therapies for allergy-related inflammation if needed.
Home Remedies
Home remedies that help alleviate dry eyes in children include applying warm compresses to the eyes daily, gently washing eyelids with diluted baby shampoo following compresses, encouraging frequent breaks during screen use (20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), using over-the-counter artificial tears as needed, maintaining a humid environment indoors, wearing sunglasses outdoors to protect from wind and glare.
If symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult an eye care professional for a thorough evaluation and tailored treatment.
Prevalence and Other Factors
The prevalence of dry eyes in children is not well-established, with varying results reported in different epidemiological studies. Long-term use of contact lenses, particularly orthokeratology lenses, can cause dry eyes. Certain medications, including topical and systemic medications for acne, antihistamines, and benzalkonium chloride-preserved eye drops, can cause or worsen dry eye in children.
Inflammatory conditions like blepharitis and conjunctivitis can affect the quality of the tear film and cause dry eyes. Skin conditions such as rosacea, allergies, diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases can disrupt the functioning of the meibomian gland.
Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition that causes the loss of homeostasis of the tear film and other related ocular symptoms. If left untreated, dry eyes can lead to more serious complications and affect a child's ability to perform optimally in different areas such as school.
Pfizer may potentially develop a treatment for dry eye disease (DED) in children, considering the condition's prevalence and the range of factors contributing to it. Science could play a significant role in this development by investigating the effects of various medical-conditions on eye-health, such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis, and finding potential solutions for maintaining health-and-wellness in children. For instance, blocking the negative effects of certain medications on the tear film could help manage DED more effectively.
