My daughter is 3.75 years old. She has been having this for almost a year now... She seemed to have pain when she had fevers, or was sick (predominantly right eye, but seems to occur in both at times). It also seems to have been triggered in some cases, or made worse, by light - sensitivity. Howevery, in the dimmest light, she will still get upset if there is an episode. She has long eye lashes as well, but she is able to tell us if there is something in her eye, as opposed to this issue, which she cannot quite explain, but is quite frantic about the level of pain.
Since her last cold end of January 2012 when she had a fever and eye pain, it has continued past the cold. She will rub her eyes and scream, telling us to turn off her nightlight (which is a clear sign to us something is up as she will not normally tolerate going to bed without it - has a fear of the dark). That all said, when she is fine (no episode), the sunniest days do not bother her. She is now resorted to licking her hands and then rubbing her eyes to try and help it - which it doesn't. From this, we thought it might be lack of moisture in her eyes, but the optometrist said her levels were fine. We have tried giving her eye drops when she does complain, but it does not help. I thought with the colds, that perhaps it was sinus pressure (esp if lying down, pressure may distribute differently), but her pain/episodes have carried on beyond her cold, as mentioned above, and bending over with head below hips does not bother her (as sinus cold/infection would probably build pressure and make the pain worse).
Just last week, after seeing the optometrist twice, our GP, we got in to see a pediatric ophthalmologist. He has chalked it up to "Blonde Retina". From the very little I can find out about it, it doesn't match. I am of Japanese decent, and my husband is Caucasian. She is fair (light brown hair, but has brown eyes, brown hair etc.) Still, I guess she could have it, but everything I have read says she would consistently be sensitive to light. She is not.
Wondering if this may be some kind of migraine type thing, but do children of this age get migraines? She rarely complains of headaches, but perhaps it is just the visual disturbances?
Family, who are in the medical field are suggesting that we see a neurologist. If her eyes are fine, then we probably should rule out that there are no impairments neurologically. Kind of scary sometimes because it is ongoing and if it isn't the eyes, then what is going on? Any insight greatly appreciated.
Dr. O.