With August deemed Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, there cannot be enough stress placed on the importance of protecting children (including teenagers) eye health. Healthy eyes and good vision are essential for the physical and educational development of children. Most children have healthy eyes. However, vision problems can begin at an early age and go unnoticed by both children and their parents. Early detection and treatment are indispensable in preventing conditions that could potentially cause problems or permanent vision loss.
Christina, a high school student in Manhattan Beach, California walked into her eye doctor’s office thinking it was just going to be another eye appointment and yet another glasses fitting. Dr. Dale Choi, of Manhattan Beach Vision Group, recommended Christina get an optomap image as part of her exam that day. To their surprise, the image revealed a significant finding. Dr. Choi discovered a retinal hole with a large sub-clinical detachment in her left eye. Dr. Choi reviewed the image with Christina, explaining that she would need to be referred a retina specialist that same day, to repair the hole and save her sight. Fortunately for Christina, the local specialist was able to repair the hole with no damage to her vision.
Retinal Detachment – Image courtesy J Edward Ysasaga, MD
According to Dr. Choi, optomap has diagnosed many systemic conditions that otherwise would have gone unknown and often gotten worse. Without it the optomap, Christina is unsure how she would have known about the detached retina before it was too late. “It gives them peace of mind. It gives them ultimately the care that should be standard in all eye exams,“ says Dr. Choi.
Optos is committed to educating parents on the importance of having their children’s eyes checked regularly. Protect your children’s eye health by making an optomap part of their yearly comprehensive eye exam. Visit our website for more sight-saving stories like Christina’s and find an optomap provider near you to schedule your child’s eye exam today!
https://www.preventblindness.org