Vision problems – at a younger and younger age
V. Mickus faces various ailments at work. “My patients suffer from superficial eye inflammations, refractive errors (myopia, farsightedness), strabismus. These are conditions that are important to notice as early as possible: then they can be successfully corrected and alleviated with the help of glasses.”
Recently, quite a few children of school or even kindergarten age wear glasses. When asked if this indicates that the vision of the little ones is deteriorating, the doctor says that several aspects are important.
“On the one hand, we see a positive trend. There is more information about vision problems, parents notice problems earlier and bring their child to the doctor. In addition, I know that glasses are more fashionable among young people than before, so patients willingly wear them,” smiles the doctor.
V. Mickus adds that there are also worrying signs. “More and more diseases are diagnosed at an early age. This is because babies are exposed to screens before they can talk.
When children’s education and employment are “transferred” to smartphones or tablets, visual impairments increase. These are the problems of parenting, from which the smallest children suffer,” the ophthalmologist believes.
According to him, the best antidote to the harm of smart screens is time spent in nature. “It is necessary for children to spend their free time actively: moving, running, playing sports. It happens that there are such changes that you no longer recognize the child.
A child glued to the screen, abusing sweets, returns to you after a few years, healthy, strong, athletic. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations, change your free time, spend less time at the computer, your vision will also improve,” says the doctor.
A connection that doesn’t break
Some doctors say that working with children is the most difficult. Meanwhile, the relatives of V.Mickaus patients leave warm feedback about the doctor. An ophthalmologist is able to calm and find a connection with the smallest patients. When asked where the recipe for success lies, the interviewer remains modest.
“Children’s temperaments are different by nature, so it is impossible to predict the reaction. The mood is influenced by the communication culture of the staff, the timbre of the voice and even the lighting of the premises, the interior.
It is important to me that friendly, empathetic doctors work at KMP, who are able to find a connection with the child and calm him down. It is not only a team of ophthalmologists, but also children’s orthopedists, surgeons, neurologists, dentists and specialists in other fields,” says the doctor.
He observes that there is often an unspoken bond between pediatricians and patients that persists even after treatment ends.
“One generation of my patients has already grown up. Now they bring their offspring. It happens that a mother or father says to a child: “I was also treated by this doctor.” This is the biggest appreciation for me. After that, I wonder – didn’t I get old so quickly?”, the doctor smiles.
Good place for treatment of children
When asked why he chose the path of a children’s ophthalmologist and got a job in Kaunas, V. Mickus answers that there is nothing more eternal than the temporary.
“When I graduated, the old order was in effect – doctors were assigned to work in different cities and towns. I was offered Pakruoj hospital, where there were more options due to my specialization. Unfortunately, at that time the periphery did not seem attractive to live and work.
I also had the opportunity to work as a pediatric ophthalmologist in Kaunas, in the Dainava department, which then belonged to the third hospital in Kaunas. I imagined that I would work temporarily, gain experience and move to another workplace.”
According to V. Mickaus, he quickly realized that he was wrong. “The children bribed me. When there are such patients, it is practically impossible to “burn out”. I got used to it and couldn’t see myself anywhere else. A distant relative named Palmyra said I was destined to work with children. So, this fate is written in the stars,” jokes the ophthalmologist.
In the Kaunas city polyclinic, doctors are fascinated by the friendly, professional environment, wide opportunities for self-realization, and modern work equipment.
“We have advanced diagnostic tools, so we can identify diseases, ailments and provide treatment more efficiently. I have been working here for more than a decade and I see how fast we are improving. Specialists from different fields take care of the health of small patients at the KMP, so it is an excellent place for treating children,” the interlocutor is confident.
