Dry Eye in Children

What is Dry Eye Syndrome and Why Do Doctors Sometimes Misdiagnose Children?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when eyes are unable to maintain healthy layers of tears. While dry eye syndrome is most commonly seen among the adult population, younger demographics are susceptible as well and symptoms can be just as severe in children as in adults. Because the condition is rare in children, doctors often rule out dry eye syndrome soon and patients are misdiagnosed. If your child is complaining about his or her eyes, pay attention. Be attuned to which complaints may indicate that your child needs treatment for dry eye syndrome.

What Can Cause Dry Eye in Children?There are a multitude of causes of dry eye in children. Dry eye can result from mucin deficiency, causing the eyes to dry out. Mucin deficiency often results from vitamin A deficiency so a balanced diet can help to prevent this. Lipid deficiencies can also be a factor. Excessive eye straining activities such as television watching, using a computer, and reading can also lead to dry eye symptoms. Finally, dry air conditions, contact lens use, and certain medications can contribute.

Symptoms:           

Parents might be tempted to rule out dry eye syndrome when a child does not specifically complain of dryness in or around the eye. Interestingly, however, many children suffering to dry eye syndrome do not explain their symptoms in terms of dryness. Rather, children are likely to complain that their eyes are “burning”, “scratching”, “itching”, or just plain irritated. If your child is complaining of such symptoms, dry eye syndrome is certainly a possible culprit. If your child’s symptoms tend to vary along with environmental changes, dry eye syndrome is even more likely. Dry eye patients will often experience exacerbated symptoms in dry or windy locations, and on airplanes where air humidity levels are significantly lower.

What to expect at the doctor’s office:

Expect to answer a series of questions with your child about your child’s symptoms. In addition, your doctor should ask you if your child ever sleeps with his or her eyes open, if your child suffers from any other conditions and if your child is taking any medications (which may contribute to dry eye symptoms). Finally, your doctor can order a Schrimer test to determine whether the eye is producing enough tears to stay moist. Generally, the test begins with the child’s doctor placing a testing strip inside the lower eyelid of each eye and having the child sit with both eyes closed for five minutes. The strips are then removed and the doctor measures how moist the strips are.

Treatment:
Treatment will vary depending on the specific cause of your child’s dry eye syndromes. Your child may be advised to change contact lenses, switch medications, cut back on eye straining activities, or improve his or her diet to include more vitamin A specifically. Antibiotics may be applied directly to the lid margin in small amounts. Finally, it is always important for dry eye patients to adhere to proper eyelid hygiene. Lid scrubs help keep lid margins clean and free from debris. OCuSOFT offers a great line of eyelid cleansers and scrubs for dry eye patient use.

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