Children’s dry eye syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition, but it can have an impact on your child’s eye health. As a result, if your child frequently complains about having dry and/or itchy eyes, you should take his or her complaints seriously. Dry eye syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors, and it can also be a symptom of autoimmune, endocrine, congenital, or inflammatory illnesses. If your child’s eyes are frequently dry, it is critical that you pay attention and have their eyes examined by a professional, as vision and eye problems may develop over time if your child’s dry eyes are not treated. Here are some facts concerning chronic dry eyes in children: Pediatric Ophthalmology Edina MN
What causes dry eye syndrome in children?
Dry eye syndrome is a condition that can have a major impact on your child’s eye health, performance in school, and overall wellbeing. Dry eye syndrome in children can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Infections, such as the herpes simplex virus, can harm the eyes. Another illness that can disturb the tear film and cause dry eye condition is conjunctivitis.
- Evaporation eye illness is characterized by a gland dysfunction that makes it difficult for the eye to generate tears.
- Blepharitis is an infection-related inflammation of the eyelids. It damages the tear layer that coats the cornea, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Blepharitis may be connected with other disorders such as rosacea and other skin conditions.
- Symptoms of certain medications may also include dry eyes.
Other potential causes of chronic dry eye in children:
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
- Diabetes
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)
How to treat dry eyes:
Dry eyes can be treated in a variety of different ways. Artificial tears, gels, or ointments can be used to moisten the corneal surface of your child’s eyes. Moreover, to assist with symptom relief, increasing the humidity in the air at home or in your child’s bedroom via a humidifier can also help. If certain medications are the root cause of your child’s dry eyes, then it may be time to consider alternative medications.
When should your child see an eye doctor for their dry eye?
If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, then they should be brought in to see an eye doctor as soon as possible:
- Eye infections
- Heavy discharge or pus coming from their eyes
- Swelling or redness around the eye
- Fever
- Changes in vision
If your child’s eyes are chronically dry, take them to a pediatric ophthalmologist near Edina MN to have their eyes evaluated and diagnosed. A pediatric ophthalmologist, such as those at Insight Vision, can also recommend treatment choices and perform any necessary surgeries.