"It is mandatory to get your children examined before they join school, especially if you notice a squint or there is a family history of wearing glasses," advised Dr Tanveer Chaudhry at "Signs, Symptoms and Care", the health awareness programme organised in Quetta by Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Discussing eye diseases in children, Dr Chaudhry, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University (AKU), told the audience that eye diseases in children were extremely common. Children may need glasses only to correct their vision, but in rare instances, glasses may be required to prevent a life-threatening tumour. "Squinting is very common in children and mostly can be rectified by wearing glasses. Some children may need an operation as well," he said. Dr Chaudhry also emphasised timely treatment of corneal infections and trauma. In case of negligence, it can lead to opacity and loss of vision. Corneal transplant is considered a safe procedure , if properly done. Corneal transplant is done to replace the diseased cornea with a healthy and clear cornea from a donor. This restores vision in many and preserves the eye in others. However, the outcome is dependent upon the initial condition of the eye as well as acceptance of the donor cornea by the recipient's body. Explaining Cataract and Ocular Trauma to the audience, Dr Rashid Baig, Department of Ophthalmology, AKU, pointed out that cataract is the leading cause of reduced vision in old age. The lens inside the eye becomes hazy and opaque resulting in blurring or reduction in vision, which is the most common symptom of cataract. Surgery is the only treatment for cataract. Small incision phacoemulsification with foldable/injectable intraocular lens implantation is the most popular method of cataract removal world wide. Regarding ocular trauma, road traffic accidents, chemical injuries (acid burns, alkali burns) and bomb blast injuries are common causes of eye injuries. Ocular trauma is one of the leading causes of visual loss, especially in young individuals and children. Early diagnosis, referral to a tertiary care centre and treatment are important in ocular trauma cases. Taking preventive measures and raising public awareness regarding eye trauma can reduce the incidence of this important cause of visual disability especially among youth and children.
"It is mandatory to get your children examined before they join school, especially if you notice a squint or there is a family history of wearing glasses," advised Dr Tanveer Chaudhry at "Signs, Symptoms and Care", the health awareness programme organised in Quetta by Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Discussing eye diseases in children, Dr Chaudhry, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University (AKU), told the audience that eye diseases in children were extremely common. Children may need glasses only to correct their vision, but in rare instances, glasses may be required to prevent a life-threatening tumour. "Squinting is very common in children and mostly can be rectified by wearing glasses. Some children may need an operation as well," he said. Dr Chaudhry also emphasised timely treatment of corneal infections and trauma. In case of negligence, it can lead to opacity and loss of vision. Corneal transplant is considered a safe procedure , if properly done. Corneal transplant is done to replace the diseased cornea with a healthy and clear cornea from a donor. This restores vision in many and preserves the eye in others. However, the outcome is dependent upon the initial condition of the eye as well as acceptance of the donor cornea by the recipient's body. Explaining Cataract and Ocular Trauma to the audience, Dr Rashid Baig, Department of Ophthalmology, AKU, pointed out that cataract is the leading cause of reduced vision in old age. The lens inside the eye becomes hazy and opaque resulting in blurring or reduction in vision, which is the most common symptom of cataract. Surgery is the only treatment for cataract. Small incision phacoemulsification with foldable/injectable intraocular lens implantation is the most popular method of cataract removal world wide. Regarding ocular trauma, road traffic accidents, chemical injuries (acid burns, alkali burns) and bomb blast injuries are common causes of eye injuries. Ocular trauma is one of the leading causes of visual loss, especially in young individuals and children. Early diagnosis, referral to a tertiary care centre and treatment are important in ocular trauma cases. Taking preventive measures and raising public awareness regarding eye trauma can reduce the incidence of this important cause of visual disability especially among youth and children.
