# Protect Your Child's Eye Like Your Eye!

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-treatments-in-children/protect-your-childs-eye-like-your-eye

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-07

> **Summary:** Many children develop lifelong vision problems because eye diseases are diagnosed late. Ophthalmology Specialist Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek of Kudret Eye İstanbul explains common childhood eye diseases, when children should be examined, the warning signs families should watch for and how to reduce children's fear of examination.

## Quick Facts
- **Lazy eye treatment:** Most effective before age 7-8; can be tried in older children, but the response is usually weaker
- **First examination:** By the pediatrician after birth
- **Follow-up:** Specialist examination at the 6th and 12th months, then yearly at ages 3 and 5 and during school years

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## Common Eye Diseases in Children
- **Common:** Astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, lazy eye, strabismus, tear duct obstruction.
- **Rarer:** Cataract, eye pressure, developmental abnormalities of the eye, eye tumours.
- Some diseases not diagnosed early are hard to treat later, and some can cause permanent vision loss.
- Untreated strabismus causes lazy eye, which reduces both vision and depth perception.

## Effect on School and Social Life
- Difficulty reading a book or seeing the board, leading to learning difficulties.
- Loss of balance and weaker physical and manual dexterity skills.
- A sense of failure and inadequacy that can affect mental health.
- Performance anxiety in rule-based games (catching or throwing a ball, not stepping on lines), which can prevent socialisation.
- Some untreated eye diseases can cause aesthetic concerns later.

## When Should Children Be Examined?
- The pediatrician performs the first eye examination after birth, checking for congenital anomalies and pupil response to light.
- If an abnormality is found, the baby should see an ophthalmologist immediately.
- If normal, a specialist examination at the 6th and 12th months.
- Even without signs of disease, examinations should be repeated every year at ages 3 and 5 and during the school years.
- Any complaint or sign of an eye disorder calls for an immediate ophthalmologist visit.

## Warning Signs for Families
- Squint, eye discharge, redness, swelling, droopy eyelids.
- Frequent blinking, eye rubbing, squinting, closing one eye or tilting the head.
- Watching TV too closely or bringing objects close to the eyes.
- Using fingers to follow text while reading.
- Headache, dizziness, learning difficulties.

## How to Reduce Fear of Examination
- Schedule the appointment around the child's sleep pattern, except in emergencies.
- Never use doctors or treatment as a threat or punishment.
- Tell the child beforehand what will happen and how it helps.
- Be honest: prefer realistic, calming explanations over promises that nothing will hurt.
- Give positive examples of doctors and nurses, for example in stories.
- Let the child wear favourite clothes and bring a favourite toy.
- Play doctor with an age-appropriate medical toy kit.
- Plan an enjoyable activity after each visit.
- Stay calm and do not pass on your own fears.