why children lose their vision and what we can do
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We know flies spread all sorts of infections.
They live in our latrines and garbage.
We should build covers for the latrines
and make the men take the garbage far
outside of the village.
At least we
can teach our
children not
to rub their
eyes with their
hands.
I can’t wait to
watch you ask
the men to do
that!
I tell my children to
wash their hands
before we eat
together— and
after they’ve used
the latrine. And to
wash their face
every day.
Cataracts
When a child has a cataract, the lens (a part of the eye just behind the
black circle in the center) becomes white or milky. This causes a child
to not see very well, as though everything were covered by a cloud.
Cataracts may affect one or both eyes.
Cataracts are most common in older people. But some babies
and children also get cataracts. Cataracts may be passed down in
families (hereditary) or be caused by an eye injury. Often the cause of
cataracts is unknown. Sometimes cataracts are caused by a German
measles (rubella) infection during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Rubella can cause hearing loss as well as cataracts, so a child who
has cataracts should also have his hearing tested. Cataracts are painless.
Signs:
• Blurred eyesight and a dimming of vision which
get worse over time.
• The cataract may be seen from the outside. At
first the center of the eye looks gray and then it
becomes white.
Treatment:
Cataracts cannot be treated with medicine. An operation is needed to
remove the cataract. After the operation, strong glasses may be needed.
Prevention:
• Pregnant women should stay away from people with German
measles (rubella) or anyone sick with a fever and rash.
• Look for the signs of cataracts in children so they can be treated as
early as possible.
helping children who are blind