Originally written October 2, 2023

With school back in session, your child might be excited to see the new classrooms, books, and sights around them. It’s also the ideal time to treat them for anything that is affecting their vision and has the potential to affect their grades later on.

Throughout the year, your child may experience a variety of common eye problems that can be treated by CEENTA's eye doctors.

In This Article...

1. Pediatric eye condition 1: Astigmatism and blurry vision
2. Pediatric eye condition 2: Pink eye and eye infections
3. Pediatric eye condition 3: Blocked tear ducts
4. Pediatric eye condition 4: Styes

Astigmatism and blurry vision

Whether it's something your child notices or their teacher points out, they may be experiencing blurry vision or astigmatism, a condition which can cause light sources to appear distorted. Your child’s ophthalmologist may recommend glasses or contact lenses following a vision test in order to treat either of these situations.

Anya Trumler-Sebring, MD, a CEENTA pediatric ophthalmologist who practices out of our Mooresville and Statesville offices, elaborates on corrective lenses for children. “The need for glasses is often a slow progression, or it is "all they know," so children may complain. More commonly a concern brought up to the parents by the teacher, school nurse or primary care provider. It is very important to follow-up with any concerns or failed vision screening for a child as it is critical for brain and eyesight development."

Pink eye and eye infections

Children do not always have the best hygiene, especially around their peers. Your child could potentially get pink eye (conjunctivitis) or other eye infections. The symptoms for these conditions include red eyes, inflammation, itchiness, and crusting. Pink eye can be contagious, so a pediatric ophthalmologist may suggest a combination of artificial eye drops and antibiotics depending on the root cause. It is also imperative to teach your child strong hygienic habits like proper handwashing and avoiding contact with their eyes or eyelids throughout the day.

Blocked tear ducts

Similar to an eye infection, blocked tear ducts are also prevalent among children. “While a blocked tear duct is common during infancy, up to 90% of cases resolve by age one without treatment,” Dr. Sebring explains. This condition is the result of a blockage in the eye’s drainage system, resulting in excessive tears and irritation. If left untreated, it can also lead to an eye infection. To remedy a blocked tear duct, your child’s physician can provide surgical and non-surgical treatments aside from simply waiting out the symptoms.

Styes

A stye is a painful bump appearing on the edge of the eyelid. Much like an eye infection, it can come from bacterial exposure to the oil glands in the eyelid and can present with redness, sensitivity, and pus. It is not contagious, but should your child have a stye it can be treated at home with a warm compress and gentle cleaning. However, as Dr. Trumler-Sebring points out, “Patients with multiple styes, styes that don't improve with conservative treatment, or any associated eye redness may often require further medical treatment.”

If you believe your child is facing any of the conditions above, then it might be time for them to see an eye doctor at CEENTA. Their ophthalmologists can provide safe and successful treatment options to get them back to school and into class with their friends. Parents will be able to schedule their child’s eye appointment with Dr. Trumler-Sebring at our Mooresville or Statesville locations in the near future by calling 704-295-3000.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with any of our eye doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.