Knowing at this time that our kids are now prone to eye disorders for kids, why? There are plenty of computer games, play stations, game boy, PSP, and now DS that can cause eye disorders for kids. In fact some of these eye disorders for kids may cause permanent eye damage and blindness-if left untreated.

A most common primary intraocular (inside the eyes) malignancy of childhood arises from primitive retinal cells of the eye. About 90% cases are diagnosed less than 3 years of age. A common presentation is white pupillary reflex, some with squint and some with inflammation of the eye. In whole world, most of the patients present with advance stage when the tumor extends externally.

The examination of the eyes in children basically does not differ much from that of adult eyes. The principles of the tests, clinical approach and interpretation of each test is almost the same in all ages with little modification.

It is essential to keep in mind that a child’s eye is not a condensed form of an adult eye. For purpose of examination, the patients have been divided into following age groups:

1. Neonates and infants
2. Between one year to five years
3. Five to ten years
4. Above ten years.

Otherwise ocular disorders can also be categorised chronologically. It should be remembered that some of the disease may be obvious in lower age group and spill over to higher age groups. Whereas some of the occult lesions may be present in infancy but become obvious only at later age.

The diseases have been classified variously according to:

1. Age of onset
2. Chronology of disorder
3. Tissue involved and
4. Clinical Presentation.

A parent always ask why his child need to be examined by a pediatric optometrist rather than a pediatric ophthalmologist. The answer comes from understanding of these two types of eye doctors.

Both types of eye doctors examine and prescribe glasses, diagnose and treat eye disease, and can evaluate how well a person uses the eyes together. However, each profession is unique.

Ophthalmologists are trained to do surgery. Optometrists are schooled in the developmental (behavioral, functional or environmental) aspects of vision. Optometrists are more apt to use lenses, prisms and Vision Therapy to enhance and improve visual function. These interventions often improve children’s academic and other abilities.

Scientific evidence indicates that interventions such as Vision Therapy, used by behavioral optometrists, work. If your child has developmental delays of any kind, choose to have all aspects of vision evaluated.

Children should have routine vision and eye examinations in the course of their regular primary care appointments with their pediatricians.  If there is cause for any concern or further evaluation, a pediatric optometrist is best qualified to provide the necessary care.  If he will see a problems that needs a surgery, it is best to make recommended follow-up appointments, to allow the physician to monitor conditions closely and accurately.

To find the best pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists in your area, the first step is to contact local hospitals and eye clinics and ask for referrals. Find out who among your relatives and friends have children that had an eye condition that was treated by a pediatric eye doctor. This way, you can assess whether the doctor is competent. Also extend your research and find out if the pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist referred to you is a member of the American Medical Association. Make sure that the doctor is currently practicing and has had no previous problems with any patient or hospital. Diagnosis and treatment of children is more challenging because children sometimes cannot express what is wrong with their vision, so it is important that the pediatric eye doctor has enough previous experience with children.

Parents must take a good care of their kids and visit an eye doctor for a check up before school starts to save our children’s future and to prevent also the eye for eye disorders for kids.