This is the reason for the plus eye in children

Plus eye, which is medically known as hyperopia or farsightedness, usually starts in adults over 40 years of age. Finally, many people associate farsightedness as a disease of the parents. In fact, there are also young children who have been diagnosed with nearsightedness. So, the assumption that only parents can have plus eyes is wrong. The fact reported by Merdeka notes that cases of plus eye in children continue to increase so that this eye disorder is no longer properly referred to as a disease of the parents.

What happens to children with plus eyes (hyperopia)?

Children with plus eyes have difficulty seeing objects that are close to the eye. Objects that are far from the eye appear more clearly. That is why reading, typing, and operating a computer or cell phone is very difficult. Even in some cases where the child's eyes have very serious hyperopia, near vision can also be impaired.

In the eyes of children with hyperopia of vision, there is an abnormality in which the optical image falls behind the retina. The eyeball with hyperopia is generally so short that light can't fall right on the retina and vision becomes blurry. In addition, there are usually abnormalities in the shape of the cornea or lens of the child's eye.

Why can a plus eye in a child occur?

Plus eyes occur due to several risk factors. The strongest factor is genetics. If you or your partner has a history of hyperopia of the eye, then your child is more likely to inherit it. Another factor is age. However, because a child's eyes are still in a developmental stage, usually the age factor is not the cause of children having plus eyes.

Symptoms and signs of a child suffering from plus eyes

For children who experience plus eye disorders at an early age, you may find it difficult to find out because the child does not really understand how the normal eye works, and the signs of the plus eye cannot be seen with the naked eye. So, you should pay attention to the following symptoms.

1. Blurred and shaded vision

If your child complains of blurred, shadowed, or blurred vision, take the child for an eye exam immediately. Usually these symptoms will get worse at night.

2. Difficulty seeing objects at close range

Watch your child's movements when interacting with objects at close range. When children tend to keep toys, books, or gadget, the child may be farsighted.

3. Eyes sore and tired

Usually, the eyes of children with hyperopia get tired and painful. So if your child often frowns or closes his eyes, it's a good idea to get your child's eyes checked immediately.

4. Frequent headaches

Children with plus eyes must hold the focus of objects that are close to the eye for quite a long time. The child's eyes also tire quickly and can cause head aches and pains.

5. Often rubbing his eyes

Young children have not been able to identify the cause of blurred or blurred vision, so children will rub their eyes in the hope that the object in front of them will be seen more clearly.

6. Difficulty reading and learning

Do not jump to the conclusion that children find it difficult to learn because they are lazy. It could be that children have difficulty reading and learning because of nearsightedness.

Handling plus eyes in children

Many believe that the plus eye in children will heal itself. However, this does not apply in general. Children with hyperopia need to get special treatment so that the disorder they are experiencing does not get worse. In children under five with mild farsightedness, the chances of the eyes returning to normal are indeed higher because the eyes will adjust themselves as they grow. Even so, it would be better if you still follow the doctor's advice and provide the best care for children with plus eyes. The following are treatments that can be given by parents.

1. Wear glasses

After examining the child's eyes, usually children with plus eyes will be recommended by the doctor to use glasses. Glasses will help children refocus on objects that previously appeared blurry. Wearing glasses is the best treatment that can be given to children. Corneal, lens, or eyeball repair surgery is not recommended for children due to incomplete eye development. Usually, the eyes will become fully mature at the age of 21 years.

2. Healthy diet

Eating vegetables, especially dark green leaves and fruits that are bright in color, can improve children's eye health. In addition, ingredients that are good for children with plus eyes are vitamins C, D, as well as calcium, magnesium, and selenium. For that, children with plus eyes should eat lots of broccoli, spinach, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, salmon, sardines, tuna, eggs, tofu, and mushrooms.

3. Train eye health

Children must be trained to be able to maintain eye health by blinking a lot, especially when staring at a computer screen, television, or tablet for a long time. Also make sure that the child is resting his eyes enough. You can apply the 10-3-10 system. Each child focuses their eyes on a certain object for 10 minutes, rest and turn their eyes to look at a distance of 3 meters for 10 seconds.