Eye multimedia can have a positive impact on children’s reading interest and comprehension but research also shows that certain interactive features may detract from their ability to read. This study used eye tracking and a reading comprehension test to explore how supplemental (interactive) and incidental interactive features affected students’ comprehension of an eight-page digital storybook required in a third grade curriculum.

Strabismus

In this condition, the child’s eyes are not aligned properly. This can cause eye rubbing, eye fluttering, and excessive blinking. Other symptoms are a droopy eyelid (ptosis) or a crossed or wandering eye (strabismus). Some strabismus disorders are idiopathic, but others can be caused by tumors, abnormalities of the optic nerve or other problems.

Strabismus surgery is often recommended to correct this problem. In this surgery, a small incision is made into the transparent covering of the eye (the conjunctiva). The muscle that controls the movement of the eye is repositioned and attached. The conjunctiva is then closed with tiny sutures, which will dissolve over a few weeks.

Surgical treatment of strabismus can be done in many different ways depending on the patient’s age, health and specific needs. Some common techniques are eye muscle surgery, corneal reshaping or the placement of a patch over the eye.

Eye muscle surgery is typically performed at a child’s ophthalmologist’s office, where the patient is under general anesthesia (asleep). A surgeon makes a very thin incision into the conjunctiva and repositions the muscle, attaching it with tiny sutures. The surgery is usually very successful and results in a reduction or even elimination of strabismus.

A child’s eye doctor can check for strabismus by doing a “cover test” on the eye. The child is asked to fixate on an object while the examiner covers one eye and then the other. No movement should be detected if the eyes are in proper alignment, but manifest strabismus can be seen if the uncovered eye shifts to establish fixation.

The ophthalmologist may perform a variety of other tests to identify the cause of the strabismus. These include the use of prisms, a technique that can measure deviation from perfect alignment. The ophthalmologist can also determine whether the strabismus is accommodative or sensorimotor.

Having regular eye exams is essential for children’s eye health. Early identification of visual impairment can help parents, teachers, and eye care providers make appropriate changes in the child’s environment and improve his or her social and educational performance. Having regular eye examinations can also help detect conditions before they become serious, such as myopia or other vision-related problems.