DISEASES OF THE SPECIAL SENSES

DISEASES AFFECTING VISION

 Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Astigmatism
• Amblyopia
• strabismus
MYOPIA (NEAR SIGHTEDNESS)
The child is able to see things that are close but has a hard time seeing things that are far away.
Risk factors; genetics, prolonged screen time,and limited outdoor activities.
Symptoms; blurred vision, may squint or strain to see distant objects , headache,
Diagnosis; through a comprehensive eye examination using an opthalmoscope, using a Snellen chart e.g
visual acuity testing and refraction ti determine the degree of myopia.
Management;
Corrective lenses
orthokeratology(corneal reshaping therapy)
Atropine eye drops
Increasing outdoor activities
HYPEROPIA (FAR SIGHTEDNESS)
• A refractive error in paediatrics where a child is not able to see whats near but can clearly see
what is far.
Symptoms; may not always be noticeable as their eyes may be able to compensate for the refractive
error.
headache, eye strain ,blurred vision.
Diagnosis; through a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist e.g visual
acuity testing and refraction ti determine the degree of hyperopia
Management; corrective lenses.
Complications; may increase risk of strabismus (misalignment of the eyes ) or amblyopia(lazy eye)
ASTIGMATISM
• Astigmatism is a common refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an
irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. Astigmatism can be present
at birth or develop over time. It may be associated with other vision problems such as near
sightedness (myopia) or far sightedness (hyperopia).
Symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, difficulty focusing, and squinting.
Diagnosis; comprehensive eye examination performed by an eye care professional. This examination
may include visual acuity testing, refraction assessment, and examination of the eye's structures.
Management and Treatment.
• Corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, to help compensate for the irregular shape
of the cornea or lens and improve visual clarity.
• If the astigmatism is severe or does not respond adequately to corrective lenses, other
treatment options such as orthokeratology (corneal reshaping therapy) or refractive surgery
may be considered, although these options are less common in paediatrics patients due to their
age and ongoing eye development.
Regular follow-up appointments with an eye care professional are essential for paediatric patients with
astigmatism to monitor their vision, ensure proper correction, and address any changes or complications
that may arise over time. Early detection and management of astigmatism in children are crucial for
promoting optimal visual development and preventing potential long-term vision problem
AMBYLOPIA (LAZY EYE)
• Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a type of poor vision that usually happens in just 1 eye but
less commonly in both eyes. It develops when there’s a breakdown in how the brain and the eye
work together, and the brain can’t recognize the sight from 1 eye. Over time, the brain relies
more and more on the other, stronger eye — while vision in the weaker eye gets worse.
Symptoms
• Kids with amblyopia may have poor depth perception — they have trouble telling how near or
far something is. Parents may also notice signs that their child is struggling to see clearly, like:
• Squinting
• Shutting 1 eye
• Tilting their head
• Treatment for amblyopia typically involves correcting any underlying refractive errors with
glasses or contact lenses and then forcing the brain to use the weaker eye through a
combination of methods such as patching the stronger eye or using atropine drops to blur the
vision in the stronger eye. Vision therapy exercises may also be prescribed to improve eye
coordination and visual acuity. Treatment is most effective when started early, ideally before
the age of 7 or 8, while the visual system is still developing.
STRABISMUS
• Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes such that both eyes are not simultaneously directed at
the same object.
• Esotropia is a type of strabismus characterized by an inward deviation of one eye relative to the
other eye. Accommodative esotropia is an esodeviation due to normal accommodation in
uncorrected hyperopia.
 • In strabismus, one eye may look straight ahead while the other turns inward, outward, upward,
or downward. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and may occur in one or both
eyes.
• Treatment for strabismus often involves corrective lenses, eye exercises, and/or surgery to
realign the eyes and improve vision.
Early detection and intervention are crucial for successful management of strabismus and prevention of
long-term complications. Therefore, it's important for individuals to undergo regular eye examinations,
especially during childhood, to detect and address any vision issues early on
DISEASE AFFECTING HEARING
There is 2 types of hearing loss;
1. conductive hearing loss –a problem with the transmission of sound getting into the cochlear-
an issue in the middle ear.This is the most common and its commonly caused by recurrent otitis
media, infection of the middle ear.
2. sensory neural hearing loss-this is the damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This
may be caused by congenital defects . Autotoxic medications, infections or exposure to
excessive noise.
Symptoms
1. If an infant lacks the startle reflex
2. if they fail there hearing newborn assessment.
3. Speech delay
4. The child may be inattentive ,shy or withdrawn
Management; Treatment
1. If it’s due to recurrent otitis media then a myringotomy-an incision to the eardrum to drain out
excess fluids in the middle air.
2. Hearing aid
3. Speech therapy and audiology visits.
4. Advise the parent to prevent exposure to hazardous noises
OTITIS EXTERNA
Inflammation and infection of the outer ear. There is persistent moisture in the ear canal that
leads to bacterial or fungal overgrowth leading to inflammation and infection.
5. Risk factors; swimming foreign objects insertion like earbuds.
6. Symptoms; the child may complain of ear pain, swelling discharge and redness
7. Treatment; ear drops that have antibiotics steroid I.E ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone.
OTITIS MEDIA
 • Otitis inflammation or infection of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum. This is usually
preceded by an upper respiratory infection that causes congestion and inflammation which
leads to the obstruction of Eustachian tube which then leads to accumulation of fluid in the
middle ear.
There are two main types of otitis media:
Acute otitis media (aom): this is a sudden onset of inflammation and infection in the middle ear, often
accompanied by symptoms such as ear pain, fever, irritability (especially in infants), difficulty sleeping,
and sometimes hearing loss or drainage of fluid from the ear. AOM is frequently caused by bacterial
infection, typically following a viral upper respiratory infection or allergies.
Otitis media with effusion (ome): also known as "glue ear," this condition involves the presence of fluid
in the middle ear without signs of acute infection. OME often follows AOM or may occur as a result of
eustachian tube dysfunction, which impairs drainage of fluid from the middle ear. OME can lead to mild
hearing loss and may persist for weeks to months after the resolution of AOM.
• Risk factors for otitis media include young age (children under 2 years old are particularly
susceptible), exposure to second hand smoke, attending day care, bottle-feeding (especially in a
supine position), and having a family history of ear infections.
Treatment for otitis media depends on the type and severity of the condition:
Acute otitis media: treatment may involve pain management with over-the-counter pain relievers (e.G.,
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen), antibiotics (if bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed), and
observation in certain cases (as many cases resolve spontaneously without antibiotics).
Otitis media with effusion: resolve spontaneously over time. However, if OME persists or causes
significant hearing loss, surgical intervention such as tympanostomy tube placement (ear tube surgery)
may be considered to facilitate drainage of fluid from the middle ear.
• Preventive measures to reduce the risk of otitis media include promoting breastfeeding (which
helps strengthen the immune system and improve Eustachian tube function), avoiding exposure
to second hand smoke, practicing good hand hygiene, and ensuring up-to-date vaccinations,
including pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. Additionally, avoiding bottle-feeding in a supine
position and limiting exposure to allergens may help reduce the risk of recurrent ear infections.
DISEASES AFFECTING SENSE OF TASTE AND SMELL IN PAEDIATRICS
Congenital Anosmia: Anosmia refers to the complete loss of the sense of smell. It can occur in pediatric
patients for various reasons, including congenital factors, infections, trauma, or neurological conditions.
This can indirectly affect taste perception since smell plays a significant role in flavor perception.
Hyposmia- refers to a reduced ability to detect odors, meaning the sense of smell is diminished but not
completely lost.
Hypogeusia: This condition involves a reduced ability to taste flavors. It can occur as a result of various
factors, including certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, head trauma, or neurological disorders.
Dysgeusia: characterized by an altered sense of taste, often resulting in a persistent metallic or bitter
taste in the mouth. In children, dysgeusia can be caused by infections, medications, chemotherapy, or
conditions affecting the oral cavity or gastrointestinal tract.
Causes or risk factors
 Infectious Diseases: Some viral and bacterial infections can temporarily affect taste perception
in children. For example, respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu can cause a
temporary loss of taste and smell.
 Neurological Disorders: Certain neurological conditions that affect the brain's ability to process
taste signals can result in taste disturbances in children. Examples include epilepsy, brain
tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
 Nutritional Deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as zinc or vitamin
B12, can impact taste perception in children and may result in taste disturbances.
Referral to specialists such as otolaryngologists, neurologists, or gastroenterologists may be
necessary for further evaluation and treatment.