In order to see clearly, light rays from an object must focus on the retina at the back of the eye. If light rays fail to focus directly on the retina, a Refractive Error is present. It is most common in children.

HOW TO KNOW YOUR CHILD HAS A REFRACTIVE ERROR.

 Children have a refractive error when they:

• Complain of blurry vision
• Go closer to the screens to see.
• Bring materials too close to their eyes while reading.
• Squint when trying to read
• Skip or miss words while reading or writing in class
• Under-perform in school.
• Tilt their head to see well.
• Don’t pay attention or lose interest while performing a task.
• Complain of headaches or pain around their eye brows when reading.
• Need to use their finger to follow the words while reading.

If you have noticed your child displaying any of the above symptoms, please do not hesitate to take your child for a Comprehensive Eye Examination.

Or take advantage of our “BACK TO SCHOOL” Free Eye Test  for Children promo at SpecSMART eye clinic.

TYPES OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS

• Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Astigmatism

            MYOPIA

 In  Myopia commonly called “short sightedness”, light rays focus in front of the retina due to either a long eyeball or high focusing power of the lens or the cornea of the eye. Children with Myopia experience difficulties seeing far objects or targets.

Myopia can be progressive for children, this is why it’s advised to give full corrective lenses, vision can be improved by a concave “minus” lens.

 HYPEROPIA

Hyperopia commonly called “long sightedness” occurs when light rays are focused behind the retina, due to either a short eye ball size or low focusing power of the lens or cornea of the eye.

Sometimes, Hyperopia is considered normal in children, so correction isn’t always required. The  lens in the eye accommodates and compensates for the hyperopia, while they grow into clearer vision “Emetropization”.

 If the amount of Hyperopia is high, a corrective convex or “plus” lens is required for correction.

ASTIGMATISM

 In Astigmatism, the cornea or lens is unevenly curved resulting to unequal refraction on different meridian of the eye.

 This is corrected with cylindrical lens.

TREATMENT

Early correction is necessary for children in order to avoid cases like Amblyopia, cross eyes, myopic detachment.

Refractive Errors are not cured as you would expect but are corrected with the use of ;

• Prescription glasses
• Contact lens

They might need partial or full correction, depending on the type of refractive error.

 Good vision is necessary for proper development and learning. Uncorrected Refractive Error can affect a child’s development and performance in school.

 Contact us ; info@specsmart.ng