Blog where midwives attend to the anxieties many moms and dads have about raising their children

#22
Can strabismus in children be cured?

Involved in eye development Strabismus, a typical eye disease in children

Involved in eye developmentStrabismus, a typical eye disease in children

Many mothers and fathers are concerned about strabismus, saying, “My baby's eyes are looking in the wrong direction! and many are concerned about strabismus.
However, for a short time after birth, babies have difficulty adjusting their eyes, making it difficult for them to focus on their point of view and the direction in which they are looking.
The function of the eye, like the various functions of the body, grows and develops gradually.

In the newborn period, the position of the eyes in relation to what they see is not fixed, and the eyes may appear to be turned inward because of the rather wide space between the nose and eyes, which in turn creates an adorable baby-like expression.
They are not pathological because they are only an apparent strabismus, and they become less bothersome as the child grows up and his or her face becomes firmer.

The eyes of a newborn baby do not see in the same way as those of an adult. They are unable to focus, so they see only dimly.
Babies are able to make eye contact with mom and dad and follow objects with their eyes after about one month of age.
At around 3 years of age, their vision is said to be around 1.0, and at around 6 years of age, they have the same level of vision as an adult.

Abnormalities during this critical period may cause delays in eye development or failure to develop sufficiently. To prevent this, it is important to recognize and treat any abnormalities as early as possible. Strabismus is another typical eye disease in children that is related to eye development.

Early recognition and appropriately timed treatment is important Children aged 3 years old should have an eye checkup

Early recognition and appropriately timed treatment is importantChildren aged 3 years old should have an eye checkup

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyeballs of one or both eyes turn outward or inward, so that the gaze is not directed in the direction in which the eye is looking. It is common for one eye to look straight ahead while the other eye looks the other way.
Strabismus occurs in about 2% of children and is a typical pediatric ophthalmologic condition.
A child with strabismus should have a shift in viewpoint or may see an overlap with another object, but the child has naturally erased the one image he does not want in his mind.
Therefore, we do not see a double image, but we see it in a flat and not three-dimensional state.
They are born seeing it that way, so it is the norm for the child.

Symptoms include one eye looking in a different direction, which can be noticed by those around them, but may always be strabismic, or it may be occasional in some children.
Strabismus is thus not only a visual symptom, but if the eye on the side with strabismus is not used for a long time, that one eye may become amblyopic.
Conversely, a person may be born with amblyopia, which is caused by the inability to use both eyes, and the strabismus may be caused by covering it up.
Other signs of strabismus include: the size of the left and right eyes are different, the patient often sees with only one eye, squinting, eye movements are strange, and the eyes do not meet people.

If you notice any of these things, you need to see your doctor immediately.
There are various types of strabismus, and treatment differs accordingly.

There are two types of strabismus: those that can be cured by adjusting vision with glasses, and those that can only be cured with surgery.
Eye surgery may seem scary and you may feel sorry for the little one, but in the case of small children who may get out of control, it is often done under general anesthesia, which reduces the burden on the individual.

Strabismus weakens the ability to see with both eyes and affects eye development, so treatment should begin as soon as possible.
If treated at the appropriate time, normal vision can be acquired, so it is important to recognize the problem early and to receive treatment at the appropriate time. For this reason, it is important to have a “3-year-old eye checkup.
During the medical checkup, parents are asked to check their behavior at home according to detailed items. The results can then be used as the basis for a medical checkup by a doctor.
It is important to properly watch over the child's behavior every day, as this can help to cure strabismus before it occurs.

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Next time... Thursday, October 10, 2024 Update
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Yoko Nanbu, Midwife
The speaker is

Midwife Yoko Nambu

After graduating from Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Nursing and obtaining a national nursing license, and graduating from the Japanese Red Cross School of Midwifery and obtaining a national midwifery license, she worked as a midwife in the obstetrics and gynecology ward of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, attending over 300 births and picking up babies. After that, she established "Toraube Inc.", a consultation office mainly for women's body. As a woman's ally, she provides consultation for problems at all ages. She believes that women should understand their own body as their own. She believes that this will lead to the solution of all problems and deals with them on a daily basis.
Her hobbies include traveling with her husband, listening to movies and music, and playing healthy mahjong.

What I want you to know from my experience
supporting many mothers as a midwife.

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