Causes of Choroidal Effusions in Children

Choroidal effusions in children can appear for different reasons. In most cases, they go away within a week without any side effects. Keep reading to find out more.

Also called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, the main characteristic is a red spot of blood in the eye. In this article, we’ll show you what to do about choroidal effusions in children.

What are choroidal effusions?

Before talking about choroidal effusions, it’s important to understand how the eyes work, specifically the conjunctiva (where tears come from). They’re membranes that cover the eyes, and their main job is to protect and lubricate them.

Choroidal effusions are where a blood vessel pops in the eye. The blood spot that you see lodges inside of the eye’s conjunctiva. However, it doesn’t cross the corneal limbus.

There aren’t steps that you can take to prevent them. Additionally, there are many different things that can trigger them. In fact, the main cause of choroidal effusions is increase in eye blood pressure. Also, children can get them from accidents or a blow to the eye.

Other causes of these blood spots in the eye are:

• Strong cough or sneeze
• Rubbing your eyes too hard
• Sticking an object in the eye
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Taking certain medication that alters the way the blood clots
• Hematological diseases

Should I worry about choroidal effusions in children?

If the blood spot is small and appeared after falling or an accident, it might go away within a day or two.

However, when it’s a big spot or repeatedly happens, then you should go to the doctor. That way, he can make an accurate diagnosis. Then, he’ll give you the best treatment.

Most of the time, eye spills in children aren’t dangerous, and they won’t need treatments. Within a week, the blood should go away without any side effects or pain.

Now, if your child has other symptoms, like itchy or watery eyes, you might want to take him to an ophthalmologist. Additionally, you should go if your child can’t see well out of that eye.

Protect your children’s eyesight

Eye injuries are more common than you might think because this area is very sensitive. It’s often the target of accidents and injuries. Not playing with toys right, not enough safety at home, access to certain tools or objects, or poor supervision by adults can cause choroidal effusions.

However, they can also happen while parents are watching kids play or they’re playing carefully. Home accidents, or accidents anywhere, can happen any time. So, is it possible to avoid eye injuries? Not entirely, but sort of. Here are some tips:

• Don’t leave sharp or dangerous objects at children’s height. For example, don’t leave them on the table, on the edge of the counter, or on the floor.
• Buy sunglasses or protective glasses for when they play sports.
• Offer toys that are appropriate for their age. Also, don’t buy ones that can be used as projectiles.
• Place safety barriers or locks so your child can’t fall down the stairs or hit his head on certain furniture.

Conclusion

Choroidal effusions in children are very common, and can appear for different reasons. Therefore, when they arise, don’t freak out. Additionally, don’t give your child aspirin or other medication that could cause hemorrhages.

Try to make sure that your child doesn’t do dangerous activities. Also, make sure he gets enough sleep, both at night and in the afternoons. If you notice that your child is rubbing his eyes a lot, cover it with a bandage. In fact, you could play pirates to leave it on for longer.

Finally, if your child frequently has blood spots, feels pain or can’t see well, take him to the doctor immediately.