Language:

Dry Eye Disease In Children

Dry Eye Disease Can Affect Children Too!

Similar to adults, dry eye in children can lead to discomfort and, in severe instances, impaired vision.

Prevalence:

The TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report showed that, after the fourth decade of life, the prevalence of dry eye linearly increases. Interestingly, the few data on children included in the analysis showed, in the age range of 15 to 18 years, the lowest prevalence of clinically diagnosed dry eye (median value < 5%) but an anomalous high prevalence of dry eye symptoms (median value> 20%) and dry eye identified on the basis of the Women's Health Study criteria (median value > 20%).

Causes:

Frequent and prolonged use of electronic devices like smartphone, laptops, tablets and game consoles reduces the blink rate and induces evaporative dry eye disease. Unfortunately, this is a growing trend.

Meibomian gland dysfunction [MGD) is more common than is realized. It can affect the composition of the tear film and cause dry eye. MGD occurs as meibomian gland secretions thicken and become clogged due to inflammation, obstruction, and/or gland atrophy. The patient presents with blepharitis with irritated, itchy eyelids with reddened lid margins

Ocular allergies, mainly severe forms of keratoconjunctivitis (vernal and atopic), decrease tear film stability, impair both meibomian gland function and tear mucin secretion, induce ocular surface inflammation and affect corneal innervation.

Autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome (SS), graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Rare congenital conditions which affect lacrimal glands and corneal nerve function: familial dysautonomia, Allgrove syndrome, alacrima, ectodermal dysplasia syndromes, multiple endocrine deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and congenital corneal anesthesia

Dietary vitamin A deficiency

Several drugs which induce or exacerbate dry eye disease, include systemic and topical retinoids for acne vulgaris, systemic and topical anti-allergic drugs, and benzalkonium chloride-preserved eyedrops.

Contact lens use

Presentation:

Depending on the age of the child, he / she may not be able to express the discomfort. It is essential for parents to watch out for the following signs:

Frequent blinking
Constant eye rubbing
Eye redness
Gritty or sandy feeling in the eye
Itchy eyes
Light sensitivity
Blurring of vision

Help your child identify the cause of his eye discomfort.

Diagnosing Dry Eye in Children

One reason for the underdiagnosis of dry eye is that children can be so challenging to examine. Paediatric normative data, validated diagnostic cut-offs, and tests specifically developed for children are also lacking.

Treatment:

Treat underlying disease and change medication which is causing dry eye

Environmental and lifestyle changes. These include decreasing screen time and taking periodic eye breaks. Sunglasses with side shields can be used to reduce symptoms in windy or dry conditions. Limit exposure to second-hand smoke

Education regarding potential dietary modification; increase Omega-3 fatty acids (supplements or from oily fish like salmon, sardine, tuna, trout, anchovy) and flaxseed

Tear supplementation, lubrication

Prescription dry eye medications include topical corticosteroids, topical secretagogue, topical cyclosporine, oral macrolide antibiotics.

Most severe cases require additional therapies including biological tear substitutes (patient’s own or homologous serum from a parent or sibling), therapeutic contact lenses, amniotic membrane grafts, insertion of punctal plugs, expression of the meibomian glands

Find lasting relief for your child’s dry eyes.