by Scott Silverman, MD
Fellowship trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist

What is the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness?
Nearsightedness is the common term for myopia. A myopic eye can see objects clearly up close, but not those at a distance. Myopia is usually first detected in elementary school when a child holds books very close or cannot read the chalkboard.

Farsightedness is the common word for hyperopia. A hyperopic eye cannot see near objects clearly without focusing effort. Children with mild hyperopia are able to focus and see clearly at all distances. Children with extreme hyperopia are unable to sustain the needed focusing and may develop headaches, crossing of the eyes, or permanently reduced vision.

What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an irregularity in the shape of the front of the eye causing a blurred image at all distances. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are treated with glasses or contact lenses.

Why does my infants eyes constantly tear and crust?
The most common cause for this problem is tear duct obstruction. A small tube drains tears from the eye into the nasal cavity. When this tear duct is incompletely formed at birth, excessive tearing and crusting of the eyelids occurs. With proper massage of the tear duct, the problem usually resolves by one year of age. For those children that do not improve, surgery can be performed to open the tear duct.

What is lazy eye?
Lazy eye is the common term for amblyopia. Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during childhood. Without treatment, children with amblyopia will never see well in one eye, even with glasses. Amblyopia is detected during an eye exam by finding a difference in the vision between the two eyes. Amblyopia is usually treated by patching the good eye to force the lazy eye to work.

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. The eyes may cross or drift out. Strabismus and amblyopia are common, each occurring in 4 of 100 children. Strabismus can sometimes be treated with glasses but usually requires eye muscle surgery.

What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a condition in which the brain interprets vision from the eye in an unusual way. The vision in a child with dyslexia is usually normal but the brain confuses the message it receives from the eyes. Since vision problems can compound the learning difficulties of a dyslexic child, a complete eye exam is prudent.