Optometrists: How can you tell a child has allergies by looking down his eyelid?

Question

My 6 yr son son got glasses in Oct 07 -1.25 Pres. now he was tested to be -2.75. The doctor explained that he wore his single vision glasses for reading when he didn't need it and he weakened his eyes. Now he will wear bi-focals to try to stop such speedy deterioration of his sight.

He looked down his eye lids and determined he has allergies. then asked me If I used non-scented laundry detergent? To which i said no. He recommended I do. HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS?

HOW DOES HE KNOW IT IS THE DETERGENT AND NOT FOOD OR NASAL ALLERGIES?

Thank you for your answers in advance.

Answer 1

When we look at the back of the eyelid we can see bumps where normally the tissue would be smooth.  He also may have detected some mucous build-up there which can occur with allergy.

As for the cause, it could be seasonal, i.e., from plants, grass, etc.,.  It could be from pet dander.  Generally it is not related to food.  Nasal allergies and eye allergies can happen concurrently, and likely are a response to the offending allergen, they are not causative in and of themselves.  Nasal allergies do not "cause" eye allergies.

It wouldn't hurt to change to  a scent-free detergent, but that is not the only possible cause.  You may have to have him tested if the allergies are bothersome to determine exactly what it is.

As for the change in his eyesight,  There is some evidence that bifocal use can slow the progression, but it isn't always effective.  Good luck to you.

Answer 2

IF THEY EYES ARE RED AND ITCHY THEY HAVE ALLERGIES