How To Treat Dry Eyes In Children
Dry eyes in children can be a chronic condition, which can turn serious if left untreated. Recurrent dry eye in children may signal an underlying condition, so be sure to keep a close eye on your child’s symptoms in order to obtain a proper diagnosis.
Although dry eyes in children is considered rare, it can still occur — and the condition can become painful and irritating for your child. Research indicates an increase in the number of children suffering from dry eye disease, which could be due to the growing use of smartphones and tablets among children.
This article is going to look at the symptoms and causes of dry eyes in children — as well as diagnosis, treatment, and when the time is right to see an ophthalmologist.
What are dry eyes?
Dry eye syndrome is often a recurrent condition, affecting both adults and children.
Dry eyes in children can occur for many reasons, though it’s not always certain why they’ve developed dry eyes in the first place. A thorough investigation is needed for diagnosis, as other underlying conditions will have to be ruled out as possible causes.
Sometimes, vision problems can occur due to untreated or recurrent dry eyes, which is why it’s important that you seek medical advice if you suspect your child is suffering from dry eye disease.
Symptoms of dry eyes in children
Symptoms of dry eyes in children can vary slightly from those in adults, as children may react differently to their symptoms — meaning you may spot them before they do.
The most common symptoms of dry eyes in children are:
- Rubbing or complaining that their eyes hurt or sting
- Watery eyes
- Eyes may look red
- Complaining that their vision is blurry
- Eyes feeling hot or dry
- Light sensitivity
Your child might not mention all of these to you, so you must be able to recognise the symptoms for them. For example, if they keep rubbing their eyes, then ask them if their eyes are feeling okay.
Causes of dry eyes in children
The causes of dry eyes in children can vary, but the main cause of dry eyes in children is thought to be meibomian gland dysfunction, which can also be called evaporative eye disease.
When the meibomian gland doesn’t work properly, it’s unable to secrete high-quality oils to keep the eye lubricated. This then causes the tears to evaporate at a much faster rate — resulting in dry eyes. Certain conditions can increase the risk of this gland dysfunction such as rosacea and diabetes.
Frequent use of electronic devices and screens could be a possible cause of dry eyes in children. One study found that children who use smartphones for a prolonged time have a lower blink rate. Having a decreased blink rate can create instability of the tear layer, causing dry eyes. For more information, please read our article on computer vision syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Another cause may be allergies that appear during the change in seasons. Again, allergies can cause tear film instability and inflammation and irritation of the eye.
Sometimes dry eyes can be caused by diet — it’s normally associated with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency can cause a change in how the body produces tears, leading to dry eyes.
Dry eyes in children diagnosis
An ophthalmologist will be the one to typically diagnose dry eyes in children. They will normally perform several eye tests to do so.
Treatment for dry eyes in children
Treatment for dry eyes in children can vary, and there are some home remedies that you can do for them as a parent. The easiest home remedies can include:
- Applying a warm compress over your child’s eyes
- Using over-the-counter eye drops
- Making sure your child wears wrap-around sunglasses outside
- Taking regular breaks from and limiting screen time
Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough, and your child will need dry eye treatments like the ones we can offer at Eye Clinic London. We offer a range of treatments for dry eyes, including:
- Artificial tear drops
- Punctal plugs
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy
How to give a child eye drops
Sometimes, eye drops are prescribed for children with dry eyes, but it can be tough trying to administer them — especially with younger children.
To help, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide so you can give your child their eye drops with ease.
- First, you need to ensure you have freshly washed, clean hands.
- Second, you need to position your child so that you can access the eyes easily.
- Next, you want to prepare the eye drops according to the instructions.
- Then you want to remove the lid and any plastic seal that was on the bottle.
- Carefully pull your child’s lower eyelid down.
- Hold the end of the dropper just above their eye and squeeze in the required number of drops.
- Let go of their lower eyelid and allow them to blink.
- Pop the bottle lid back on and wipe away any drops from their face with a clean tissue.
When to speak to an ophthalmologist
If your child is suffering from dry eyes, and all the home remedies you’ve tried haven’t worked, you can contact us at Eye Clinic London. Book your child’s consultation here.