Eyes

Allergic conjunctivitis, also known as eye allergies, is a common condition affecting tamariki (children). It causes redness and irritation to the eyes and eyelids.

If your child has trouble seeing things in the distance, they may be short-sighted. Glasses and contact lenses can correct short-sightedness.

Screen time has been linked to digital eye strain, dry eyes and short-sightedness. Lots of screen time can impact your child’s eye health. Find out more about screen time and eye health below.

Watch a 5 part live chat series with expert advice about food allergies in tamariki.

A stye is a red lump on your child's eyelid. It's caused by a blockage of an oil gland in the eyelid.

A squint is when the eyes are not looking in the same direction. If untreated, this can lead to eye problems like amblyopia. If your child has a squint, it's important to start treatment at an early age.

Some premature babies need eye checks to screen for a condition called retinopathy of prematurity. Find out what happens when your premature baby has an eye check to look at the back of the eye.

Research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they turn one can help reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food.

Some handy hints on how to include calcium in your child's diet if they are allergic to cow's milk.

Is your child getting enough calcium? If your child has to avoid dairy products for their cow's milk allergy, make sure they are eating enough other foods containing calcium.

Find out what signs of vision or eye problems to watch for in children.

Some pēpi (babies) can have watery sticky eyes. Most of these pēpi have conjunctivitis. But some pēpi can have sticky eyes which don't get better. This can happen if the tear ducts become blocked.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is a very common condition in tamariki (children). It causes red, irritated and sticky eyes. A viral or bacterial infection or allergic reaction are the most common causes of conjunctivitis.

If your child seems to be having trouble seeing clearly, they need a vision check.

Allergies happen when your child's immune system mistakenly treats normally harmless substances as 'harmful'. The substances that trigger allergies are called allergens. The symptoms of an allergy vary according to what a child or young person is allergic to. 

A checklist for your baby's eye and vision development during their first year. If you have any concerns about your baby's vision, see your family doctor or Well Child service provider.