Paediatric Ophthalmology in Gurgaon

Why Is Early Children's Eye Care So Important?

A child's visual system develops in the first years of life. If one eye sees poorly - because of a squint, a lazy eye or an uncorrected glasses power - the brain can start to ignore it, and if this isn't treated early, the reduced vision can become permanent (amblyopia).

In India, squint affects around 1 in 100 school children and lazy eye around 1-2%, and both are often under-diagnosed because children rarely complain. A simple, painless eye check finds these early, when they respond best to treatment.

Statistics: strabismus in Indian schoolchildren ~1.04% (Hegde 2025); amblyopia ~1.1-1.75% and under-diagnosed (Patel 2025); early treatment is critical during visual development (AAO/AAPOS).

At what age should my child have their first eye check?

Newborns are checked for basic eye health, and a formal vision assessment is worthwhile in the preschool years (around age 3-4), or sooner if you notice a squint, a white reflex in photos, or the child sitting very close to screens. Any concern at any age deserves a check.

How do I know if my child has an eye problem?

Watch for a squint or wandering eye, sitting close to the TV, tilting or turning the head, frequent eye-rubbing, one eye that seems weaker, or difficulty at school. Because children rarely say their vision is poor, screening is the surest way to catch problems.

Is a lazy eye treatable?

Yes - lazy eye (amblyopia) is very treatable when caught early, usually with glasses and patching (or eye drops) to strengthen the weaker eye. Treatment works best in early childhood, which is why timely detection matters.

Will eye tests and treatment upset my child?

Our paediatric eye assessment is gentle, painless and child-friendly, using age-appropriate tests. We take time to keep children comfortable and involve parents throughout.

Who is the children’s eye specialist at Dayal Eye Centre?

Dr. Digvijay Singh, an AIIMS-trained paediatric ophthalmology and squint specialist with extensive experience in children’s eye conditions and strabismus surgery.