Book an Appointment
Value Your Eyes, Protect Your Vision
Eye health is not to be neglected. Regular eye examinations play a critical role in the early diagnosis and treatment of potential problems. If you are experiencing one of the eye conditions listed below or have noticed a decline in your visual quality, you can consult Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu to learn about the most suitable treatment options.
Low Vision Problems
Low vision refers to vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or medical/surgical interventions, and which significantly affects daily activities and learning. Low vision in children can occur due to congenital eye diseases (e.g., albinism, congenital cataracts, retinal dystrophies), problems related to prematurity (ROP - Retinopathy of Prematurity), genetic syndromes, or later-developing trauma and diseases.
Nystagmus
Nystagmus, commonly known as eye twitching, is an involuntary, rapid, and rhythmic oscillatory movement seen in one or both eyes. These movements can be horizontal, vertical, or rotatory. Nystagmus can cause reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, balance problems, and abnormal head postures (seeking the "null point" to minimize the twitching).
Accommodation Disorder
Accommodation is the ability of our eye to focus clearly on objects at different distances by changing the refractive power of our lens (crystalline lens) inside the eye. An accommodation disorder is the malfunction of this focusing mechanism. It can be frequently encountered, especially in school-age children and young adults.
Eye Misalignment
Eye misalignment (squint or strabismus) is a condition where both eyes cannot focus on the same point, and one or both eyes deviate in different directions (inward, outward, upward, or downward). It is a common problem in childhood and can lead to permanent vision problems such as lazy eye (amblyopia) if left untreated.
Treatment varies according to the type, cause, and degree of strabismus. Glasses, patching therapy (for lazy eye), orthoptic treatment (eye exercises), prismatic lenses, botulinum toxin injection, and surgical intervention (strabismus surgery) are treatment options. Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu offers a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of strabismus in children, aiming for both aesthetic and functional improvement.
Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain)
Children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to digital screens (computer, tablet, smartphone) for education, entertainment, and communication purposes in today’s world. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) describes eye and vision problems resulting from prolonged screen use.
CVS Symptoms in Children:
- Eye strain, burning, stinging, dryness
- Blurred vision, difficulty focusing
- Headache
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Light sensitivity
Digital Eye Strain Prevention and Management:
- 20-20-20 Rule: Look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
- Correct screen distance and posture.
- Appropriate adjustment of screen brightness and ambient lighting.
- Frequent blinking.
- Regular eye examination and correction of refractive errors, if any.
- Limitation of screen time and dedicating time to outdoor activities.
Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu provides consultancy and appropriate treatment recommendations to families to protect children’s eye health in the digital age.
Fine Motor Skills and the Role of Vision
Fine motor skills refer to the precise and coordinated movements of the small muscles in our hands and fingers (holding a pencil, buttoning a shirt, using scissors, etc.). The development of these skills is closely related to the sense of sight. Especially hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and visual tracking form the foundation of fine motor activities.
Vision problems such as uncorrected refractive errors, strabismus, and lazy eye can negatively affect a child’s hand-eye coordination and their ability to correctly perceive and manipulate objects, leading to delays in fine motor skills. It is important to evaluate whether a child experiencing difficulty with fine motor skills has an underlying vision problem. Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu performs the necessary eye examinations, taking this connection into account.
Depth Perception Problems (Stereopsis Disorder)
Depth perception (stereopsis) is the ability of our two eyes to work together to perceive the distance of objects from us and their positions relative to each other in three dimensions. It requires healthy binocular vision (two-eyed sight).
Conditions Causing Depth Perception Problems
Strabismus, lazy eye, significant difference in prescription between the two eyes (anisometropia), cataracts or optic nerve problems affecting one eye.
Symptoms
Clumsiness, frequent falling, difficulty catching a ball, hesitation when going up or down stairs, lack of appreciation for 3D movies, difficulty with fine motor skills.
Treatment is directed toward correcting the underlying cause (strabismus, lazy eye, refractive error). Glasses, patching therapy, vision therapy, and sometimes surgery can help improve depth perception. Early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in childhood, are critical for acquiring depth perception.
CVI Cortical Visual Impairment
Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is a brain-based vision disorder that occurs as a result of damage to the visual centers or visual pathways in the brain, despite the eyes being healthy. Children with CVI perceive the visual world differently and require special supportive approaches.
Common Causes of CVI: Lack of oxygen during birth (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy), prematurity, brain infections (meningitis, encephalitis), head traumas, structural brain anomalies. Characteristic Features of CVI (according to Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy):
| Characteristic Features of CVI | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| Color Preference | Better response to bright colors (red, yellow). |
| Need for Movement | Easier detection of moving objects. |
| Visual Latency | Delay in responding after seeing something. |
| Visual Field Preferences | Better vision in a specific visual field. |
| Difficulties with Visual Complexity | Difficulty seeing in crowded environments or among multiple objects. |
| Light Gazing | Staring at light sources for a long time. |
| Difficulty Seeing at a Distance | Better perception of nearby objects. |
| Atypical Visual Reflexes | Weak blinking reflex. |
| Difficulty with Novelty | Better vision of familiar objects. |
| Visually Guided Reaching | Difficulty accurately reaching for a seen object with the hand. |
The diagnosis of CVI requires a multidisciplinary team effort. Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu conducts a comprehensive eye examination in children suspected of having CVI to rule out or identify ocular (eye-related) problems and refers the family to other professionals specialized in CVI. Although the “treatment” for CVI is not repairing the brain damage, the child’s visual potential can be developed through early intervention and specialized educational strategies.
The eye health of our children is invaluable for their healthy development and a happy future. If you have any concerns about the conditions mentioned above or your child’s eye health, it is important to consult a pediatric ophthalmology specialist without delay for early diagnosis and correct treatment. Dr. Semrin Timlioğlu is always there for you with her expertise and compassionate approach to ensure little eyes sparkle with health. You can contact us for detailed information and an appointment.
The text and images on our site are for informational purposes only. They do not substitute for diagnosis and treatment, nor do they carry any legal responsibility.