Author: Anne-Julie Quenette

Overview about premature labour and delivery with Dr Nawoor

According to the WHO, premature births account for about 11% of all live births in the world. Quite a substantial figure! While premature labour happens rather inadvertently, are there ways to prevent it? We go round the question with Dr. Nawoor, Gynaecologist at the Clinique Bon Pasteur, and Director of the Nehru Hospital in Rose Belle.

How can we define prematurity?

There are three types of preterm births. We speak of moderate to late preterm when the birth arrives between 7 and 8 months, very preterm between 6 and 7 months, and extremely preterm when the child arrives before 28 weeks, that is before 6 months of pregnancy. In some countries, such as England and the United States, the foetus is considered viable after 22 weeks, despite a high mortality and morbidity rate. In Mauritius, a child is considered viable as from 26 weeks.

How can we recognise premature labour?

The signs may resemble those of a full-term pregnancy: contractions, fluid flow through the vagina, torn amniotic sac, loss of the mucous plug, painful stomach cramps or even dull pain in the back.

What are the main causes?

In most cases, premature labour happens without warning or known reason. There are, however, some causes that must be taken into account, as they are likely to lead to premature delivery. Some internal causes – such as uterine fibroids, uterine malformations, infection or cervical failure – or causes directly related to pregnancy – such as hydramnios, or excess of amniotic fluid, uterine overdistension in twin pregnancy, placenta praevia or retroplacental hematoma – may induce premature labour. Some conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure, can also play a part. Finally, overwork, long daily commuting or trauma must also be considered.

Is it possible to prepare for this?

There are many risk factors to monitor. These include tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, a history of premature childbirth, short time lapse between pregnancies, traumatic events and socio-economic factors, such as poverty or poor nutrition. We therefore need to identify at-risk patients and perform a close prenatal follow-up, providing advice and raising awareness on premature labour. If the patient shows signs of early labour, there are many things, which can be implemented, whenever possible. In addition to forced rest and leave of absence from work, the focus will be on adequate infection treatment, cervical stitch or the administration of tocolytic or antispasmodic drugs.

How are premature babies different from full-term babies?

Although, most of the time, premature babies are born with all their organs, these are still immature. Sometimes, such babies still have their eyes closed, some must be intubated to be able to breathe… In most cases, we notice an extreme skin sensitivity, which can be very painful. This does not mean that parents should avoid touching their premature baby – quite the contrary! It is strongly recommended that the mother engages in ‘skin-to-skin’ contact as soon as the baby’s condition permits. Beyond all this, the premature baby requires a great amount of care, love and courage to go through this fight. And a fight it is, since it takes a real fighter to be born in such difficult conditions and spend two months, sometimes three, in an intensive care unit!

For more information, do not hesitate to contact our maternity service at 401 95 00.

 

Getting ready for childbirth in 10 questions

You are pregnant and you are hearing more and more about preparation for childbirth. You are probably asking yourself thousands of questions… Is it really necessary? What exactly is this? Rozie Alcide, midwife at the Clinique Bon Pasteur, is telling us more in a set of 10 questions and answers.

1. Preparation for childbirth is expensive.
FALSE. Classes are affordable for almost everyone. This must be seen as a long-term investment. Although it is not compulsory, preparation for childbirth is essential to approach delivery as serenely as possible.

2. You have to start very early.
FALSE. Preparation for childbirth begins between 20 and 25 weeks of pregnancy.

3. Sessions are not necessarily held at the maternity clinic.
TRUE. Sessions can also be held at home for those who cannot travel. In addition, due to the current health situation, we are also running sessions through video-conferences.

4. Sessions are very long.
FALSE. Birth preparation classes consist in four one-hour sessions. There are usually one to two weeks between each session.

5. Preparation for childbirth is limited to childbirth.
FALSE. Many topics are covered during our sessions. Obviously, we speak about pain management, labour signs, the birth process, but also breastfeeding, baby care and the new parent role. Preparation for childbirth also helps establish a trust and understanding relationship with midwives, and allays the fears and anxieties of future parents.

6. Preparation for childbirth is not limited to expectant mothers.
TRUE. Fathers-to-be are also encouraged to attend two of the four sessions, both to understand and be able to support the mother during labour, and to learn more about how to take care of the baby.

7. Childbirth preparation is needless for a second child.
FALSE. Every pregnancy and every delivery is different. Many mothers prefer to take the classes again to refresh their memories, to explore whatever aspect they may have forgotten, to feel better prepared, and also to reconnect with the midwives.

8. Physical activity is essential for proper preparation.
TRUE. Maintaining physical activity during pregnancy is strongly recommended unless there is a specific contraindication. This allows the mother-to-be to keep fit and feel confident.

9. Preparation for childbirth is only a mental preparation.
FALSE. There is obviously a large part of the courses dedicated to mental preparation, but we also focus on physical preparation to facilitate labour through stretches or exercises, for example.

10. Preparation for childbirth is not necessary in case of delivery by caesarean section.
FALSE. C-section also requires preparation! The mother-to-be has many questions about the process of childbirth, what happens next and when she returns home. At each session, we try to cover all the aspects of the different pregnancies and what can happen during childbirth to prepare the future mother to all scenarios.

If you want to prepare properly for childbirth, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our midwives’ team on 401 95 00.

An extraordinary Valentine’s day !

Every year, the 14th of February marks the celebration of love all around the world. It is the perfect occasion to spend time with your better half, and if things don’t always go as planned, they can nonetheless unfold wonderfully. Here is a feedback on a Valentine’s Day unlike any other at the Clinique Bon Pasteur’s maternity ward.

While lovers are preparing to celebrate together Valentine’s Day, the maternity knows, for its part, no respite. The medical staff must provide continuous service, as expectant mothers are sometimes surprised by the (not so) sudden arrival of a new addition to the family.

For Rozie Alcide, midwife at the Clinic for 24 years, Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers. ‘First of all, this day celebrates love with a capital “L”: love for your spouse, for your children, but also for your colleagues,’ she explains. Working on the day shift on February 14th, Rozie had a busy day ahead, with the birth of four new babies in the morning. For her, there is no better way to live this special day. ‘The arrival of a child, on Valentine’s Day, is a unique and symbolic gift: the fruit of love between a man and a woman,’ she adds.

It is a similar story for Doline Calou, Home Attendant at the Clinic for almost 11 years, and for whom Valentine’s Day goes beyond a celebration for lovers. ‘We are a united team. We have a bond of love and harmony, and that allowed us to spend special time together for Valentine’s Day,’ she says. To celebrate this bond of love, the staff on duty, including Doline, marked the occasion by exchanging chocolates and sharing a beautiful moment of friendship.

If Valentine’s Day was particularly special for the Clinic’s staff, it was the same for the mothers who entered the labour ward. This was the case for Cindy Belle Etoile, who was due to give birth on February 15th, but received a nice surprise with the arrival of her second child a day earlier. ‘When we held our baby in our arms, that’s when we realised it was Valentine’s Day. It’s as if he made us the well-timed gift of coming to the world on the day of our love to fill it with happiness,’ says Cindy. This Valentine’s Day may have been different, but exceptional all the same!

Science women sharing a common passion for helping others

Celebrated on February 11th every year, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights the essential role of the female scientific community. They are increasing in number, especially in the medical field, pursuing their vocation with passion and tenacity. Here is the portrait of four of our women of science.

Nathalie Templin – in charge of the maternity ward

Native of Rodrigues, Nathalie flew to Mauritius after secondary school to study midwifery, a profession that had fascinated her since an early age. ‘I’ve always wanted to help others and especially mothers to give birth,’ she explains. Convinced by the values of the Clinique Bon Pasteur, which she affectionately calls her ‘second home’, she began her lifetime job there in 1988. 34 years later, her passion has remained unchanged. Supporting mothers before and after childbirth can be intense and high in emotions, but also rewarding. ‘Our main job is to relieve mothers. Giving birth can be distressing, but it also brings a lot of happiness. It is that joy and the feeling of accomplishment, which allow us to go back home with a smile on our face,’ she adds.

Heeroshna ‘Jane’ Ramma – pharmacist

Daughter of a pharmacy dispenser, Jane did not hesitate long before making a career choice. ‘I have always been attracted to science and technology. My dream was to help people by knowing all the drugs and their effects,’ she says. She completed her degree in Pharmacy in India before pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy in Malaysia. Back on the island, she started her end-of-studies internship at the Clinique Bon Pasteur before continuing in other places. In 2021, going back to the roots, Jane joined the Clinic’s pharmacy team. ‘We never get bored here, we learn something new every day,’ she says. Treatment dispatch to patients, follow-up of vaccinations, managing drug orders… Work days are never the same! What she prefers is the proper use of medication. ‘I enjoy guiding patients and helping them understand their treatments,’ she concludes.

Dr. Aurélie Boucherville – doctor

Aurélie felt the call for passion at a very young age. ‘My grandfather was sick and I couldn’t understand why the doctors were unable to heal him. I never gave up, nor did I try anything different,’ she begins. At 16, she tested the waters during a holiday course at the Clinique Bon Pasteur and very quickly confirmed her vocation. She then flew to China, where she studied medicine and Mandarin simultaneously – a feat! Curious by nature, it is the mysterious side of science that first attracted her. ‘We constantly have to solve puzzles, and such challenge is what fascinates me the most,’ she explains. In 2018, she settled at the Clinic, where she is now handling emergencies in the morning and attending to patients in the ward while being on call in the evening. ‘Even if the work is sometimes exhausting, making patients healthy and happy again is what motivates me and makes me go home happy,’ explains the doctor.

Noorina Chutoo – in charge of the pharmacy supervision

Like her workmates, Noorina has always felt the need to help others, especially sick people. After her studies in pharmacy at the University of Mauritius, she honed her skills in several pharmacies of the island before joining Clinique Bon Pasteur’s team in 2015. For her, it’s a revelation. ‘I like working at the Clinic because, unlike other pharmacies, we are always in the thick of the action. We are in constant contact with the medical teams as well as the patients,’ she says. Today, Noorina has no regrets about her career choice. ‘What I like above all is to be able to document myself every day and to keep track of science-related matters, drugs and pathologies,’ she finally adds.

‘The key is to communicate and not just listen’
Julien Quenette, psychologist

After being closed for many months, schools are reopening at the beginning of February. It is a relief for some and a real challenge for others… Families are divided on the question, and some are unsure how to approach this new situation. How to ensure a successful return to school? We asked the question to Julien Quenette, psychologist at the Clinique Bon Pasteur.

After a few months of distance learning, school is finally resuming. How do you perceive the situation?

For many people, the reopening of schools is very good news. Distance learning, even if temporary, has its limits. For the youngest, the work-from-home setting was not necessarily convenient, with a significant risk of exposure to screens. For them, going back to school will be gratifying, since social bonds hold a very important place in the early years of life. Meeting with their classmates again will make it possible to consolidate that bond.

And for the older children?

We have observed an increase of the impact on the mental health in older children, as well as a learning lag and school drop-out in the last few months, which can be problematic. This has also been a complicated period for children with special needs, with a real risk of regression. Reintegrating the school setting will allow them to re-establish a routine, which can only be beneficial. Fortunately, the government has also decided to extend the school year to November, in response to many teachers’ concerns. Indeed, students will have to start with the program afresh, as the learning gaps have widened with remote teaching.

We are talking a lot about relief, but there is also much apprehension.

There is mixed opinion, since everyone does not have the same reality. Some are well grounded in their routine and feel comfortable in their environment. For others, the fear of starting again is added to the fear of Covid. Many parents prefer to take a step back and analyse the situation during the first weeks of school resumption, before letting their children go back. After all, it is another perturbation of the routine to which children have become accustomed for months. Not all families react to change in the same way. Moreover, the health situation has not changed, and there are many rules to which children must readjust themselves. It is up to teachers to set the boundaries, and to parents to gently remind the precautions to be taken every day.

How can we cope with this anxiety-inducing climate?

Fortunately, after two years, the situation is not necessarily anxiety-inducing for children anymore. They have become used to it. Wherever a stressful climate is prevailing, it is up to parents to talk it over and check in with their child. To minimise the impact of the situation, communication remains the key. There are also many activities to put in place in order to create a safe environment for children. For example, we can prepare a small card with a reassuring photo, which they can carry with them at all times, wherever they go .

School resumption will still require major adjustment after such a long time away from class. How can we best support our children and allow them to reconnect gently?

Again, all this depends on the child’s age. In 2019, UNICEF gave general instructions on how to accompany your child through words . The most important thing is to provide them with a space for talking. It is necessary, for example, to use open questions, to invite them to speak freely; but the parent must also share his own concerns regarding the situation. In the end, the key is to communicate and not just listen. At best, this sharing time can become a habit, a safe space where you can inquire about the child’s emotions, communicate and exchange with them, which is paramount to their sound development. Children learn through observation, and parents are their role models in learning how to manage emotions. There is also a whole routine to set up and to stick to, in particular with regards to schoolwork follow-up. One can, for example, establish a precise planning, set a break time back from school to unwind, take a moment to follow-up on homework, and plan activities until bedtime. Unfortunately, this is not possible for everyone. The most important thing is to do what you can, the best you can.

To explain Covid-19 to children, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings has designed a beautiful story.

——————————————————————————————

Une carte pour mieux vivre la séparation de la rentrée

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-talk-your-child-about-coronavirus-covid-19

Lights on our backstage staff

Clinics and hospitals are bustling ever since the arrival of the pandemic in 2020. The medical teams are working hard to provide continuous care, which has owed them much kudos, and rightly so. Other workers, however, are also bringing their stone to the building of healthcare. We met Valentine Berthelot, Marie-Noëlle Veeren, Sarita Padarat and Billy France, who work in the shadows of the Clinique Bon Pasteur.

While the quality of care depends on the nursing staff, the proper running of a clinic depends on the relentlessness of the backstage workers. Sanitized living spaces, rooms cleaned from top to bottom, meals prepared with love and operational equipment: this is the heart of the clinic, and the first pitch towards quality care. If the COVID situation has shaken a few things up at the Clinic for these workers, everyday life remains roughly the same.

Billy, who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of machines, confirms: ‘Our day-to-day job hasn’t changed, we just need to be more vigilant and take more precautions.’ For these workers, whose presence has been continuous, even during the lockdown, the same protocols apply: wearing a mask, social distancing, hand sanitation, less social interactions…

For Marie-Noëlle, head of the laundry department, the fear that was present at the beginning has been very quickly dispelled by the urgency to help others. ‘A clinic cannot stop running, so we have done everything to ensure that patients have a safe space to receive treatment,’ she explains. ‘Thanks to the training and information provided by the Clinic, we are aware of the virus and have been able to adjust to the situation,’ she adds.

Same story with Sareeta, who is in charge of the cleaning. She is not so much afraid of being confronted with COVID every day, but rather worried about putting her close relatives at risk. ‘Still, taking part in the COVID effort came as a natural thing. We work harder every day, but we know it is necessary,’ she says.

Though the job is a little more demanding, it also has its good sides. Valentine, who runs the kitchen, heads into each day with optimism and smile. ‘My biggest motivation is to make people’s lives sweeter,’ she explains. Far from being overwhelmed by the situation, she welcomes each day as a challenge. ‘I am happy to please. I accommodate the desires of each patient and employee, and I cook up dishes that will warm their hearts,’ she continues.

Such workers are the essential cogs of the great machine that is the Clinic, and through their backstage work, they guarantee a safe and secure space. Dedication and determination are the key words. Without their daily effort, the Clinic could never operate properly and provide the quality care it offers today.

While the end of year is always somewhat hectic at the Clinic, the health situation and the numerous daily cases have not made things easier! Yet, despite the uncertainties, an atmosphere of celebration and sharing is surrounding the great family of the Clinique Bon Pasteur. We are taking a look back at this particularly intense season with Sheela Kamayah and Rajesh Beeyafan, both Nursing Supervisors at the Clinic.

In the medical field, the end of the year always brings its share of extra work: small accidents, falls, injuries, firework-related casualties… This year, COVID-19 is adding another layer. ‘We have had a lot of work since new tasks have been added to our workload: each patient must, for example, do a PCR test before undergoing any operation. We also need to spot suspected cases – patients with flu, headaches, etc. – and submit them to an antigen test,’ explains Sheela.

‘Fortunately, things have calmed down a bit. A few weeks back, we were seeing positive patients every day,’ adds Rajesh. While the Clinic can provide first-aid treatment to people with COVID, it generally redirects them to care structures, which are more adapted and better equipped to treat the disease. Beyond the somehow disrupted daily routine, the loss of colleagues and patients also remains on the staff’s mind. ‘We all feel a twinge of sadness, especially at the close of the year, for our colleagues, who work at the hospital, and for those who passed away,’ Sheela says sorrowfully.

Despite the surrounding situation, a festive atmosphere is prevailing all the same in the Clinic. Tiny Christmas trees and other ornaments are out to set a discreet and warm decoration. ‘Since the beginning of the crisis, we have not been able to organise any usual end-of-year festivities; however, the Clinic has indulged its employees with kind attentions,’ says Rajesh. End-of-year bonuses and a quarter of a fourteenth month payment, gift cards, boxes of treats, Christmas cake… ‘There is a human touch, which cannot be found anywhere else. Here, we work in a family atmosphere,’ continues Rajesh.

While employees are encouraged to organise festive get-togethers in small groups, patients also receive special meals to mark the end of the year. Still, for Sheela and Rajesh, the year ends on a hopeful note. ‘Fortunately, the number of cases has declined, which allows us to welcome 2022 with optimism,’ says Sheela. For Rajesh, it is the teamwork at the Clinic that warms his heart. ‘Our teams are great and supportive, and this has allowed us to end the year in a good way. The Clinic’s new projects, with the expansion of the operating theatre and a new intensive care room, are spirit-lifting, as the Clinic aims continuously to provide better service,’ he concludes.

The year ends on a renewal commitment, which offers the prospect of a new year built on hope and confidence.

The end of the year has been somewhat hectic with the explosion of Covid-19 cases, ever since the month of August, leaving the Mauritian population between uncertainty and panic. To address the situation, the Clinique Bon Pasteur, like many hospitals and private clinics, has therefore put everything in place to provide its patients with a safe and secure space, where their health remains the priority. Dr Tadebois, Medical Director of the Clinic, is giving us a feedback.

As Covid-19 is sweeping across the country, hospitals and clinics are scrambling to maintain high-quality treatments for their patients, while providing them with a safe and continually sanitized space. At the Clinique Bon Pasteur, the Hippocratic Oath is taken seriously. ‘Our primary mission here is to welcome everyone and provide them with the necessary care,’ says Dr. Tadebois.

If the Clinic spares no effort to meet all needs, it does however have its limits regarding the treatment of severe Covid-19 cases. ‘Patients suffering from a severe form of Covid-19 must imperatively be taken in charge by competent doctors in an Intensive Care Unit,’ the doctor further explains. Since the clinic does not have this type of structure, such patients are transferred to other centres to receive the most adequate treatments for their condition. ‘It’s more or less the same thing as with certain strokes or myocardial infarction, depending on the conditions: we are not equipped for such interventions and prefer to transfer patients in such cases to ensure them the best possible treatment,’ adds Dr. Tadebois.

Although the clinic does not have the appropriate structures to treat serious cases of Covid-19, it has all the same implemented many protocols to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure patients’ safety. First, a PCR test is performed on all patients prior to admission, and if they are found positive to Covid-19, they are referred to a more adequate treatment centre. ‘Even so, whether Covid-positive or not, we remain committed to dealing with all emergencies,’ Dr Tadebois points out.

Besides the testing, there is a whole series of measures, which are applied as soon as the patient arrives. This also extends to visitors, since visits to hospitalized patients are still possible. Temperature check, hand sanitation, and verification of the vaccination record all serve as barricades to hamper virus spread. In addition, whenever visits are taking place, only one person at a time is allowed.

The same applies to caregivers, who are subject to numerous safety measures as defined by the Ministry of Health’s protocol. These include hygiene rules, which have been reviewed and strengthened for increased prevention: hand hygiene, staff vaccination, the sanitation of the different spaces and the use of personal protective equipment, for instance. Such measures, which are scrupulously observed, are also subject to constant monitoring in order to maintain strict implementation.

 

To ensure staff’s safety and lower spreading risk during surgery, both caregivers and patients are tested. “This helps protect not only the patient undergoing surgery, but also all the attending staff,” says Dr. Tadebois. Whenever caregivers show signs of suspicious symptoms, they are tested and, in the event of a positive result, will be self-isolating for a few days, so as not to infect anybody around them.

Your health remains our priority. For more information on the protocols in force, do not hesitate to call 401 95 00.

 

Orthopedic and trauma surgery

Orthopedic and trauma surgery pertains to all interventions on the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves) following a malformation or an accident. Orthopedics covers a vast domain and a number of specialties, traumatology being the main one. When to consult and what for? Dr Gopal, an orthopedic and trauma surgeon at the Clinique Bon Pasteur and hospital administrator, sheds light on the matter.

Orthopedic and trauma surgery is a particularly vast medical sphere. It spreads across several fields, including arthroplasty (joint replacement), sports medicine (arthroscopy), limb and spine restoration surgery, orthopedic oncology and deformity correction. Each orthopedic and trauma surgeon specialises in a field, and can count on a whole array of cutting-edge tools to treat patients, who are referred to them by general practitioners, except in emergency cases.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that our patients reach their best physical shape. For example, we help them regain their independence as they start walking again,” explains Dr Gopal. The days of an orthopedic and trauma surgeon are never the same, since there is a great number and diversity of cases, ranging from common ailments such as age-induced pains, to more severe conditions such as polytrauma or fulminating infections.

The most frequent reasons for patient visits at the Clinique Bon Pasteur are multiple. “The most common cases are osteoporosis and other age-related conditions such as hip fracture, osteoporotic fractures, deformation of the spinal column and wrist fracture,” Dr Gopal further explains. While adults most often consult for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, children can also receive treatment for congenital deformities. Other recurring reasons for consultation include on-site accidents and road accidents.

The interventions of an orthopedic and trauma surgeon differ from case to case. “As examples, we’ve had to correct limb length in children, whose legs did not develop correctly after birth, as well as in adults, who needed bone regrowth after an infection or an accident,” says Dr Gopal. Other age-related interventions, such as joint replacement, which count among the most successful surgeries, are offering elderly people a new lease of life.

The insertion of plates, screws and nails is another example of surgical intervention in traumatology. It allows patients to move shortly after surgery, without experiencing joint stiffness. Sport injuries are also frequent reasons for consultation. Cruciate ligament tear, knee strain or shoulder injuries (strain or dislocation) are common and easy to treat. “In such cases, we usually perform arthroscopic surgeries, which are minimally invasive and less painful. The inpatient stay and recovery time are thus shortened, and the chances to develop an infection are reduced,” adds Dr. Gopal.

Before undergoing any surgical procedure, a pre-operative orthopedic workup is however indispensable to ensure patients’ security and preparation for the operation. This includes full clinical examination, blood tests and x-rays. Such tests are used to establish the patient’s profile and assess their general health condition, the presence of comorbidities, and the condition of their vital organs. “This is a very important workup as it helps assess the risks for the patient, who will be placed under anesthesia and undergo surgery. From there, we can advise the patient and their relatives, so they are given the opportunity to think before taking a decision,” says Dr Gopal. Pre-operative workup does not only apply to orthopedic procedures, but precedes every surgical intervention. The number of tests and the necessity of in-depth examination depend on the nature of the intervention and other factors, such as age and known comorbidities.

The length of the stay at the clinic varies from case to case and according to the patient’s condition. While some procedures, such as diagnostic arthroscopy, tendon repair and the treatment of fractures, can be done on an outpatient basis, other major interventions require inpatient care, the length of which is determined by the specialist. Furthermore, the industry of orthopedic surgery is continuously breaking new ground, with more effective and innovative tools being produced every year. “With the introduction of new techniques and technologies, inpatient stay tends to be reduced. We had patients who underwent complex spinal surgeries and were released after one day only,” says Dr Gopal.

Thinking of making an appointment with an orthopedic and trauma surgeon? Call 401 95 00 and we will guide you.

Though visual impairments tend to appear in adolescence, they sometimes develop at a very young age and can even be present at birth. So how do you identify vision problems in a child? Dr Fakim, an ophthalmologist at the Bon Pasteur Clinic, tell us more.

Young children or teenagers typically visit the ophthalmologist because of refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia or, more rarely, keratoconus, an eye disease that typically begins at puberty. While a teenager will notice a decline in his or her eyesight, it’s often more difficult for a younger child to do so. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the subtle, early signs of a visual impairment. “You should pay attention to what the child says and take into account any headaches on the way home from school. You should also look out for behavioural changes such as a tendency to watch television from closer up or an unexpected decline in their performance at school,” explains Dr Fakim.

If you think your child may have a visual impairment, you can carry out some tests to get a better sense of their visual acuity. Can your child make out a license plate that you can read? Does a picture in a book appear clearly to him or her? For infants, take notice of eye tracking issues – that is, difficulty in following an object with their eyes – and for crossed eyes (strabismus). If in doubt, book a visit to the clinic so your child can undergo a thorough ophthalmological examination. If he or she can read and write, he will have to decipher the same charts that are used for adults. If they can’t, they will be asked to identify images. For newborn and pre-schoolers, “objective” tests are used to identify refractive errors. And direct ophthalmoscopic examination of the optic nerve and retina through the dilated pupil can also help detect other abnormalities.

While many less common conditions such as strabismus or lazy eye syndrome require further treatment, wearing the right glasses is often sufficient to address most visual impairments. “Although the style of glasses is entirely up to the child, it is important to choose lightweight frames, which are more comfortable, as well as unbreakable plastic lenses for those under 16. These will prevent serious eye injuries in the event of an accident,” adds Dr Fakim.

Although most vision problems are constitutional and genetic, there are still things you can do to ensure your child’s eyes are as healthy as possible. A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals is of course important, but everyday risks should not be ignored. “All household maintenance products should be securely stored, as they can be very dangerous for young children. Car accidents are also a frequent source of eye injuries, so make sure your child rides in the back seat, as far away from the windscreen as possible. And during festive periods, accidents involving firecrackers or fireworks cause partial or total loss of sight in many children every year,” concludes Dr Fakim.

Do you think your child or teenager has a visual disorder? Don’t hesitate to contact us on 401 95 00. Our specialists will be able to help and advise you about what steps to take.