Children’s Eye Conditions

Strabismus, commonly known as “squint” or “crossed eyes,” occurs when the eyes do not look in the same direction. While one eye may focus straight ahead, the other may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward.

Amblyopia, commonly known as “lazy eye,” is one of the most common vision problems in children. It develops when one eye does not achieve normal vision during early childhood. If left untreated, amblyopia can cause permanent visual impairment that cannot be corrected later in life.

Astigmatism is a common refractive condition that affects people of all ages. Unlike myopia or hyperopia, where vision is blurry at specific distances, astigmatism causes distorted or blurred vision both near and far. In Singapore, astigmatism is frequently diagnosed in children during school screenings and in adults who experience headaches or difficulty focusing.

Hyperopia, or long-sightedness, is a refractive condition where near vision is blurred while distant vision may remain clear. It is less frequently discussed than myopia but can significantly affect learning, reading, and daily life.

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is one of the fastest-growing eye conditions in the world. In Singapore, the numbers are especially striking: by the age of 12, over half of children already develop myopia, and many progress into high myopia as adults. This condition not only affects daily life, from classroom learning to driving but also carries long-term risks such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.