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.<\/p>\n
Although dry eyes in children is considered rare, it can still occur \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
This article is going to look at the symptoms and causes of dry eyes in children \u2014 as well as diagnosis, treatment, and when the time is right to see an ophthalmologist.<\/p>\n
Dry eye syndrome is often a recurrent condition, affecting both adults and children.<\/p>\n
Dry eyes in children can occur for many reasons, though it\u2019s not always certain why they\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, vision problems can occur due to untreated or recurrent dry eyes, which is why it\u2019s important that you seek medical advice if you suspect your child is suffering from dry eye disease.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of dry eyes in children can vary slightly from those in adults, as children may react differently to their symptoms \u2014 meaning you may spot them before they do.<\/p>\n
The most common symptoms of dry eyes in children are:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
When the meibomian gland doesn\u2019t work properly, it\u2019s unable to secrete high-quality oils to keep the eye lubricated. This then causes the tears to evaporate at a much faster rate \u2014 resulting in dry eyes. Certain conditions can increase the risk of this gland dysfunction such as rosacea and diabetes.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sometimes dry eyes can be caused by diet \u2014 it\u2019s normally associated with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency can cause a change in how the body produces tears, leading to dry eyes.<\/p>\n
An ophthalmologist will be the one to typically diagnose dry eyes in children. They will normally perform several eye tests to do so.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
Sometimes home remedies aren\u2019t 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:<\/p>\n
Sometimes, eye drops are prescribed for children with dry eyes, but it can be tough trying to administer them \u2014 especially with younger children.<\/p>\n
To help, we\u2019ve put together a step-by-step guide so you can give your child their eye drops with ease.<\/p>\n
If your child is suffering from dry eyes, and all the home remedies you\u2019ve tried haven\u2019t worked, you can contact us at Eye Clinic London. Book your child\u2019s consultation here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 \u2014 and the condition can become painful and irritating for your child. Research indicates an increase in the number of children suffering from<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":7915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dry-eyes"],"yoast_head":"\n