What Is a Blood Test? A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken from the body to be tested in a lab. Doctors order blood tests to check things such as the levels of glucose, hemoglobin, or white blood cells. This can help them detect problems like a disease or medical condition. Sometimes, blood …
Doctors order basic blood chemistry tests to assess many conditions and learn how the body’s organs are working. Often, blood tests check electrolytes, the minerals that help keep the body’s fluid levels in balance and which are necessary to help the muscles, heart, and other organs work properly. Blood chemistry tests also measure other substances …
Our eyes help us take in the world around us and play an important role in kids’ development. Getting regular eye exams can keep their eyes healthy and find any vision problems. Many problems and eye diseases can be treated, especially when they are found early. Routine Eye Exams Kids get their first eye exam …
Old wives’ tales abound about the eyes. From watching TV to eating carrots, here’s the lowdown on some vision facts and fiction. Myth: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for the eyes. Fact: Although parents have been saying this ever since TVs first found their way into our homes, there’s no evidence that plunking …
What Is the TMJ? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull. You can feel your two TM joints and their movement by placing your fingers directly in front of your ears and opening your mouth. What you’re feeling are the rounded ends of the lower jaw as they glide along the …
What Is Tear Duct Blockage Surgery? Doctors do tear duct blockage surgery to open a blocked tear duct. This brief outpatient surgery is done by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). Kids usually go home the same day. Why Is Tear Duct Blockage Surgery Done? Tears need to drain out of the eyes. When a tear duct is …
What Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage? A subconjunctival hemorrhage (sub-con-JUNK-tih-vul HEM-er-ij) is a red spot on the white of the eye. It can look scary, but it’s usually harmless, doesn’t hurt, and won’t affect vision. Most subconjunctival hemorrhages go away without treatment in a few days or weeks. What Causes a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage? The white of the …
What Is Strabismus? Strabismus is when eyes don’t line up or when one or both eyes wander. The eyes may turn: inward (called esotropia or “cross-eyed”) outward (exotropia) up (hypertropia) down (hypotropia) When eyes don’t line up together, the straight or straighter eye becomes dominant. The vision strength (acuity) of this eye stays normal because the eye and …
What Is Nearsightedness? Nearsightedness (myopia) is a vision problem that makes it hard to see distant objects clearly. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Nearsightedness? Kids with nearsightedness may: have blurred vision when looking at things that are not close to them hold books, toys, or other objects closer to their face than usual squint their …
What Is Marfan Syndrome? Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue gives structure and support to all parts of the body, including the skin, bones, blood vessels, and organs. What Causes Marfan Syndrome? Marfan syndrome happens because of an abnormality in one copy of a gene that causes problems with the body’s …
Permissions Guidelines
