Infant Astigmatism

Hi,

We discovered our baby boy's right eye with problem when he was about 10 months. That eye will be more to outward position sometimes when see things at the right hand side.

We brought him for check up by a local opthalmology. The doc commented that he had astigmatism after check up which shocked us. The degrees is 200. He asked us to brought him back again after 3 months for follow up.

We brought him for check up yesterday. However, no improvement, both eyes having astigmatism with 200 degrees each. During the checking process, my baby can't sit still and we were doubtful on the accuracy.

I have few questions as below that need your professional advises.

1) How and what it causes astigmatism to a baby in such a young age? Both me and my husband wear specs, but from high school time.
2) Should we visit another doctor for second opinion? This time should go for paediatric opthalmology?
3) If my baby insisted not to wear specs, how should we go about it? Should we force him or monitor him?
4) What should we caution on from now onwards?
5) Anything we can do or any food can help up to improve the astigmatism or his eyes condition?

Appreciate fast reply.

From an anxious mother

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Astigmatism is not a disease just an aspherical cornea; it is common in infants and children. smaller amounts do not require glasses.
2. Yes I would see a pediatric ophthalmologist. Your child seems to have a second problem or strabismus (eye muscle problem), it turns out sometimes intermittent exotrophia. The peds ophthalmologist can better eval.
3. Wait to see what the peds Eye MD says re glasses.
4. ?
5. No diet does not play a role in strabismus or astigmatism.
JCH MD