Color Vision Deficiency in Children

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Questions and Answers

What is one advantage of using contact lenses for cosmetic purposes?

Improves the appearance of the eye

Contact lens complications are more prevalent in children than in adults.

False

What is a consideration before fitting a child with contact lenses?

Discuss why they want to wear lenses (correct)

Check the child's age

Make sure the child has good communication skills

Ensure the child has perfect eyesight

Soft contact lenses are used to 'bandage' the cornea to promote healing of its _____.

surface Signup and view all the answers

Match the conditions with their suitability for contact lens fitting:

Aphakia = Congenital cataract Corneal Trauma = Irregular corneal surface Cosmetic = Improving eye appearance Therapeutic = Promote cornea healing Amblyopia = Treatment of vision disorder Refractive Errors = Correction of vision issues Signup and view all the answers

What is the common term for color vision deficiency?

Color blindness Signup and view all the answers

True or False: True color blindness, where no color can be seen at all, is a common condition.

False Signup and view all the answers

Congenital color vision defects are present in around 8% of boys and around __% of girls.

0.5 Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of cones present in the human eye responsible for color vision?

S-cones (green), M-cones (blue), L-cones (red) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of color blindness?

Deuteranopia Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of color blindness with their descriptions:

Protanopia = Individuals have no red cones Deuteranopia = Individuals have no green cones Tritanopia = Individuals have no blue cones Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended screening frequency for children ages 9 and younger?

annual vision screening Signup and view all the answers

True or False: Referrals should only be made if a child's screening results indicate a need for further evaluation.

False Signup and view all the answers

Referral should be made if there is a __-line difference.

two Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using contact lenses for children younger than 12 years of age?

Improved vision-related quality of life Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Color Vision Deficiency in Children

Color vision deficiency is a condition where people have difficulty seeing colors clearly and accurately.
Also known as color blindness, but true color blindness is rare, where no colors can be seen at all.
Color vision deficiency can be inherited or acquired and can vary in severity.
Some people may not be aware they have a color deficiency until they take a color vision test.

Types of Color Vision Deficiency

Monochromacy: no cones are available, and individuals do not see colors at all, similar to watching a black and white TV.
Anomalous trichromacy: loss or damage to one or more cone types in the retina, divided into:
- Red-Green color blindness: most common type, with four categories (protanopia, protanomaly, deuteranopia, deuteranomaly).
- Blue-Yellow color blindness: less common, with two categories (tritanopia, tritanomaly).

Diagnosis of Color Vision Deficiency

Most can be evaluated after 4 years of age.
Important to diagnose because:
- Severe color vision deficiency may cause a child to be misidentified as learning disabled.
- Color vision deficiency may indicate an ocular health problem.
- Important for decision-making, particularly for career-related decisions.

Diagnostic Tests

Ishihara test: most commonly used, uses multicolored dots to identify color vision deficiency.
Color Vision Testing Made Easy: uses common shapes and symbols, is simple, quick, and easy for children to take.

Vision Screening in Young Children

Vision screening is a systematic approach to identifying children with potential vision problems.
Focuses on detecting conditions that are commonly occurring and can be easily corrected.
Important because:
- Children are most sensitive to correction during the first 7-8 years of life.
- Vision problems can impact learning and may lead to permanent loss of vision if left untreated.

Components of Vision Screening

Distance Visual Acuity (DVA)
Near Visual Acuity (NVA)
Stereopsis
Color Vision
External Eye Evaluation
Retinoscopy
Ophthalmoscopy
Cover Test

Referral Criteria

Referrals should be made if the child's screening results indicate a need for further evaluation.
All children who do not pass the vision screening should be referred.
Classification of referrals:
- Correct referral: those who fail screening test and require vision care.
- Over referral: those who fail screening test but do not require vision care.
- Under referral: those who pass screening test but require vision care.
- True non-referral: those who pass screening test and do not require vision care.

Contact Lenses in Children

Contact lenses can be a good option for children, especially those who report better vision-related quality of life when wearing contact lenses compared to glasses.
Children of any age can be fit with contact lenses, and they are capable of looking after their contact lenses.
Important considerations before fitting a child with contact lenses:
- Discuss why the child wants to wear lenses and who wants the lenses (parent or child).
- Ensure good communication and consider the child's ability to remove and care for the lenses.