Start young to keep eyes healthy

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Anita could tell that there was something wrong with one of her son's eyes. "He narrowed his eyes every time he read. After school he often complained of a headache," said the housewife.

She then decided to take him to an ophthalmologist from whom Anita learned that Tony needed a pair of glasses. The doctor also praised her for immediately seeking professional help.

An ophthalmologist with the Jakarta Eye Center, A.M. Ginting, said that correction of possible eye problems and efforts to maintain healthy eyes should start from infancy.

He said ophthalmologists may also need to check the mother's health to support their examination. "This way, they can detect possible infections due to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which can affect a newborn's eyes and immediately treat it," said Ginting.

"It's important because several STDs show no symptoms and many mothers are not aware that they are passing the infection to their newborn babies."

Ginting also stressed the need for eye examinations on premature babies for possible eye disorders, such as retinopathy of prematurity, which can lead to blindness.

During infancy, the role of parents is also very important in observing the functioning of children's eyes.

According to Ginting, babies can only focus after they reach their third month and parents can test whether or not their babies have eye problems.

"Simple tests can be performed at home. Parents can check if their baby blinks when there is a moving object near his or her eyes or shuts his or her eyes when exposed to light. They can also see if their babies' eyes are symmetrical or notice other eye irregularities," he said.

When an irregularity is found, immediate treatment is necessary to ensure optimal results.

"Cross-eyed children are best treated or operated on before they reach four years of age. Otherwise, the squint may affect the development of the related part of the brain."

He added that failure to provide immediate treatment can lead to lazy eye (dimness of sight in one eye).

A child should be taken for the first time to an ophthalmologist when he or she reaches the age of six.

"The most common eye problems are short or long sightedness which require eye glasses to correct. This problem can affect a child's performance in school," he said, citing research data that 30 percent of children with poor school performance need glasses to aid their vision.

Healthy eyes, Ginting added, can be maintained by consuming vitamin A-rich food, like liver, fish and red palm oil as well as vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, like carrots and papaya. Supplements may be needed during illness to fulfill requirements.

There is no need for periodic visits to the ophthalmologist if there is no complaint.

He added that eyes can protect themselves from dust, pollution and the drying effect of air conditioners, by shedding tears, which also contain an antibacterial substance, called lisozyme. The function of tears, he added, are to cleanse, irrigate and moisten the eyes.

"This is why eye drops and other medicated liquid for the eyes, like bore water, are only used when prescribed by ophthalmologists. Don't use eye drops frequently because they may contain preservatives and other elements that may worsen the condition. And don't try to cure what seem to be simple eye infections or irritations yourselves. Get professional help," he added.

A simple operation can help children who have blocked tear ducts, when they are unable to secrete tears by themselves.

Ginting identified the two most common serious eye problems as glaucoma, which often displays no symptoms, and vision impairment due to diabetes. Both can lead to loss of vision.

He advised people aged 40 years or older to have their eyes examined by an ophthalmologist for early detection of possible glaucoma. They may also need reading glasses. Diabetics are advised to have their eyes checked every year, especially after suffering the illness for more than five years.

The elderly, he said, are prone to cataracts, or clouding of the eye lens and/or its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light, which can be treated.