In Belarus, an ophthalmologist has stated that every fourth child encounters vision issues.
In the global community, around 2 billion people struggle with various eye diseases and disorders. This issue is not exclusive to adults, as over a fourth of children in Belarus face vision problems, with common eye diseases among them being conjunctivitis (eye flu) and periorbital cellulitis.
Conjunctivitis, often referred to as the "eye flu," is a highly contagious inflammation of the eye that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, or irritants. Symptoms include red, itchy, watery eyes, swelling, and discharge. On the other hand, periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid and surrounding skin, typically caused by bacteria following minor skin injuries or infections like sinusitis. This condition presents with swollen, red eyelids, tenderness, fever, and sometimes difficulty opening the eye.
While nearsightedness, or myopia, is no longer considered a serious pathology, it's crucial for children to be under medical supervision to manage its progression. This is a prevalent condition worldwide, including in Belarus.
Regarding surgical procedures for eye health issues in Belarus, data specific to the country is not readily available. However, common practices in pediatric ophthalmology worldwide suggest that the most common eye surgeries for children include cataract surgery, strabismus surgery, surgery for congenital glaucoma, and procedures to treat severe or complicated cases of periorbital cellulitis or orbital abscesses.
It's worth noting that modern technologies like mobile phones and computers have a significant impact on children's eye health. In Belarus, the number of surgeries performed exceeded 66,000 in 2024, marking a 5% increase.
Since 2007, glaucoma has been included in the list of diseases entitling free assistance in Belarus, including medication, surgery, laser treatment, and the use of donor tissues. This is significant, as glaucoma is a significant issue in Belarus, with over 103,000 registered patients.
In adult populations, the most common causes of blindness and poor vision in Belarus include glaucoma, cataracts, retinal diseases, congenital vision defects, and injuries. On the other hand, in children, refractive anomalies are the most common, followed by strabismus and diseases of the lacrimal organs.
Early diagnosis and timely assistance are key to successfully treating eye conditions. Potential complications like retinal detachment can occur if eye health is not properly monitored. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise regular eye check-ups, especially for children, to ensure optimal vision health.
- The eye disease conjunctivitis, often referred to as the "eye flu," is a common issue among children in Belarus, causing red, itchy, watery eyes, swelling, and discharge.
- It's crucial for children to be under medical supervision as nearsightedness, or myopia, is a prevalent condition worldwide, including in Belarus.
- In Belarus, surgical procedures for children’s eye health issues include cataract surgery, strabismus surgery, surgery for congenital glaucoma, and procedures to treat severe or complicated cases of periorbital cellulitis or orbital abscesses.
- Prioritizing regular eye check-ups, especially for children, is essential to ensure optimal vision health and prevent potential complications like retinal detachment.
