At the invitation of Alkaloid, our medical director Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski spoke about the connection between “DHA and the Development of Vision in Children” at the online lecture held on March 30, 2021.
The first ophthalmological examination is recommended to be done at the age of 3 years even if the child does not show symptoms that it has a vision problem. In case of symptoms before that age, the child can be brought for examination. Early detection and monitoring of vision is also very important for the proper development of a child’s vision.
Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski opened his presentation with an explanation of the development of vision in newborns, which mostly develops after birth, especially after the first few years of life. At birth, the structures of the visual system are fully present but not mature. Newborns are usually hyperopic. While astigmatism (cylinder) is observed in 71% of newborns, the gradual reduction of hyperopia occurs by the age of 7 years, followed by myopic displacement throughout childhood.
Regarding the connection between omega-3 fatty acids or DHA and the development of vision in children, it has been proven to be an essential nutrient in the retina for the proper development of vision in children. The peripheral part of the retina develops faster than the foveal part. At the age of 1 month after birth, the cone cells appear, while already at the age of 8 months after birth, the macula (center of clear vision) is mature. With the help of DHA supplement, faster and correct development of vision in children is enabled. Of course, omega-3 fatty acids are important for the overall proper development and growth of the baby.
Already at the age of 2 to 5 years, as the child develops, it will make a fine adjustment of the abilities acquired in the newborn period and will develop new ones. Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski emphasized that in this period special attention should be paid to the possible presence of vision problems such as strabismus (different position of the eyes in children) or the appearance of an amblyopic (lazy eye). These problems often occur at that age.
In addition, care should always be taken in case of slower development of the child, which may be a sign of vision problems. Problems with recognizing colors, shapes, letters and numbers can also occur if the child has vision problems.
School children aged 6 to 18 should have developed visual functions such as visual acuity (ability to see clearly in the distance and near when reading a book); be able to quickly focus vision and maintain it when changing the distance of objects; as well as eye tracking, i.e. the ability to keep an eye on a specific target such as tracking an object that moves like a thrown ball.
Lecturers at the event were Dr. Aneta Demerdzieva and Dr. Natalija Angelkova, pediatric specialists from Acibadem Sistina, Silvana Filipova, speech therapist from the Institute for Rehabilitation of Hearing, Speech and Voice – Skopje, and eminent pediatricians from our country were also present.
Tip for initial examination and / or diagnosis
in case you have the same or similar condition:
The ophthalmologist reserves the right to suggest another type of examination and / or diagnosis depending on the established condition of the examination.