The Most Common Retinal Diseases in Children and Adolescents

Children’s retinal diseases: Which ones most often affect your child?

At the end of September, we traditionally marked World Retina Day – this very important part of the human eye, responsible for converting the light that enters the eye into visual signals, which are sent to the brain to recognize images and perceive the world around us. Unfortunately, children’s retinal diseases do not spare children, so this time we chose to tell you which of them most often affect them and at what age.

Retinal diseases in the earliest age (0 to 1 year)

Retinopathy of prematurity (0+ years)

In early childhood, a serious retinal disease that is most commonly seen is Retinopathy of prematurity, which can even lead to blindness in newborns. It is observed in babies born under 2 kg. Fortunately, it is now much rarer, and this is undoubtedly due to modern oxygen therapy devices and improved care for premature babies. However, it still occurs and remains a serious issue.

Leber’s congenital amaurosis (0 to 1 year)

Leber’s congenital amaurosis is a genetic disease in early childhood. Children with it are born with optic nerve atrophy, i.e., almost blind. Fortunately, there is a medication for this disease, which is administered in specially equipped operating rooms. The medication is injected into the macular area. The procedure is extremely expensive (around 200,000 BGN). In Bulgaria, there are already 4 children who have been treated using this technology.

Degenerative diseases in childhood and adolescence (5+ years)

Stargardt’s disease (5+ years)

In childhood and adolescence, the so-called inflammatory retinal diseases are encountered. One of them is Stargardt’s disease. This is a rare disease (occurs in 1 in 20,000 children under the age of 6 and is typically diagnosed before the age of 20, with an equal frequency in boys and girls). It is a case of macular degeneration, in which the child, starting at the age of 7, begins to slowly and gradually lose vision. Initially, it starts with a reduction in contrast sensitivity. One of the first complaints reported by children is difficulty adapting from light to dark or from dark to light. Unfortunately, the vision of these children progressively declines until adolescence, after which it remains at one level — around 10-20%, which is little but enough for them to orient and take care of themselves. Unfortunately, these are degenerative diseases over which we, ophthalmologists, still do not have full control.

Hereditary diseases in young adults (18+ years)

Retinitis pigmentosa (18+ years)

At a slightly later stage, around the age of 20, another degenerative disease is encountered, which is also hereditary — Retinitis pigmentosa. In fact, this refers to a group of rare genetic diseases (occurring in 1 in 4,000 people) that involve the loss of cells in the retina. Symptoms usually include difficulty seeing at night and loss of peripheral vision. The disease progresses slowly and gradually, but unfortunately, by the ages of 40-50, many of these patients lose a significant percentage of their vision.

Are you looking for a children’s eye clinic in Sofia?

Recently, the Specialized Eye Clinic PENTAGRAM has opened a Children’s Eye Cabinet. Dr. Nadezhda Muneva-Dragoev is an experienced children’s specialist with extensive knowledge and an excellent approach to children. You can book an appointment online HERE.