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Top 5 Common Eye Problems in Children – Symptoms, Causes, and When to See a Pediatric Eye Specialist

Top 5 Common Eye Problems in Children – Symptoms, Causes, and When to See a Pediatric Eye Specialist

July 30, 2025

Kids are naturally curious and learn by sight. From face detection to reading, eyes are crucial to overall human development. However, even subtle eye problems may sometimes go unnoticed and later translate into a longer-term problem if not treated early enough. A relatively common number of pediatric eye problems exist, and early diagnosis is key to healthy vision.

Here are the top 5 most frequent eye conditions in children, their symptoms, causes, and when to consult a pediatric eye specialist.

1. Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

What is Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is a condition commonly referred to as “lazy eye”, where one eye has reduced vision due to not working correctly with the brain. It usually occurs from birth through age seven and is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood.

Causes:

  • Strabismus (misaligned eyes)
  • A difference in significant prescription (refractive error) exists between the two eyes
  • Cataracts or other obstructions that affect the vision in one eye

Symptoms:

  • One eye seems to drift or wander away
  • Bad depth perception
  • Squinting or closing one eye to see better
  • Tilting the head

When to go to a Pediatric Eye Specialist?

Early screening should occur before age 5. If detected early enough, amblyopia is amenable to effective treatments like eye patching or corrective lenses.

2. Strabismus (Crossed Eyes or Misaligned Eyes)

What is Strabismus?

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not point toward the same object because one or both eyes deviate toward the centre, outside, up, or downward.

Causes:

  • Weakness or imbalance in eye muscles
  • Neurological problems
  • Hereditary problems

Symptoms:

  • Eyes not pointing in the same direction
  • Eyes often squinting or blinking
  • Double vision
  • Head tilting to focus

When to Consult:

Even if an eye misalignment tends to come and go, visiting a specialist can still be important. The sooner treatment is received, the better the chances of improving alignment and preventing amblyopia.

3. Refractive Errors (Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism)

What Are Refractive Errors?

Refractive errors are vision problems due to the shape of the eye not allowing light to focus correctly on the retina. These include:-

  • Myopia – Trouble seeing distant objects
  • Hyperopia – Trouble seeing nearby objects
  • Astigmatism – Blurred vision due to irregular curvature of the eye

Causes:

  • Genetic factors
  • Eye growth dynamics

Symptoms:

  • Squinting
  • Holding books too closely
  • Complain of headache or eyestrain
  • Poor academic achievement

When to See an Eye Specialist:

Routine screening should commence at a certain age. Suppose a child has difficulty seeing the board or reading. In that case, an immediate consultation should be done with a pediatric eye doctor. These errors, in most cases, undergo effective correction with eyeglasses.

4. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

What is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is also popularly called “pink eye.” It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent covering of the eyeball and the white part. It usually affects school-going children and is highly contagious.

Causes

  • Viral or bacterial infections
  • Allergies
  • Poisons such as smoke, dust, or chemicals.

Signs & symptoms include:

  • Red, watery eyes,
  • Sticky discharge,
  • Itching or gritty feeling,
  • Sensitivity to light,
  • Crusty eyes in the morning.

When to See a Specialist –

In most cases, mild ones resolve on their own. However, medical attention is needed if symptoms persist beyond 2-3 days, involve yellow or green discharge, or affect either eye.

5. Blocked Tear Duct (Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction)

What Is It?

A tear duct blockage does not allow for proper tear drainage, resulting in increased tearing and leakage from the eyes. It is common in newborn infants, but clears within their first year.

Causes

  • Underdeveloped tear duct
  • Infections
  • Structural issues in the nasal passage

Symptoms

  • Watery eyes almost all daytime
  • Mucous discharges from the eyes
  • Red around the eyelids

When to Consult –

Recommended to a specialist – if symptoms remain after 6–12 months, or there are recurrent infections of the eyes, consider a gentle probing technique or others.

When would you schedule a pediatric eye check instead?

Even if the child does not show symptoms, eye examination at regular intervals is a must. Experts suggest – –

  • Birth to 6 months – Basic eye screening
  • 6 months to 3 years – A complete eye exam
  • 3–5 years – Vision and alignment assessment before school
  • 5 years and older – Annual eye exams, especially if there’s a family history of eye problems

Seek immediate attention if you notice –

  • Rubbing eyes frequently
  • Squinting
  • Red or watery eyes
  • Delayed visual response
  • Frequent headaches

Diagnosis & Treatment Services for Children’s Eye Problems

The modern pediatric eye clinics now have very broad-ranging services such as the following – –

  • Paed vision screening
  • Refraction testing for glasses
  • Amblyopia treatment — patching, vision therapy
  • Surgery on the eye muscle for strabismus
  • Management of blocked tear ducts
  • Eyewear for children
  • Digital vision testing
  • Vision therapy for learning-related visual problems. In precise diagnosis, automated refractor devices and non-invasive imaging are used even for very young children.

Why Early Eye Care is Important – Untreated eye problems prevent learning, hinder physical growth, and obstruct social interaction. Problems associated with vision are often misidentified as learning difficulties, so early detection is essential.

Timely treatment –

  • Improves academic performance
  • Builds self-confidence
  • Enhances hand-eye coordination
  • Prevents permanent loss of vision

Why Choose Ojas Eyes Hospital for all Your Pediatric Eye Problems in Mumbai?

Ojas Eye Hospital is among the premier eye treatment centres in Mumbai and it is trusted for its specialised services in pediatric ophthalmology. It provides:-

  • State-of-the-art diagnostic machines
  • A friendly child environment
  • Highly qualified pediatric optometrists
  • Custom treatment plans for various conditions
  • A complete vision care service under one roof – from check-ups to performing the most complicated surgeries

Ojas Eye Hospital is committed to offering children highly specialised, compassionate, and comprehensive eye care. Suppose you do have to look for the best possible eye care for your child in Mumbai. In that case, Ojas ensures medical excellence and emotional comfort.

Conclusion

Children can’t always communicate what they see or feel. As parents and caregivers, we are responsible for recognising the early signs and ensuring regular eye check-ups. Timely resolution can determine a child’s life outcome. So start today to prevent his precious sight from being lost in the future.

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