[Ophthalmic diseases in childhood].

Tear duct obstruction is a common problem in the neonatal period. It usually has a good natural course and rarely needs treatment. In contrast the less frequent diseases like congenital cataract, childhood glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity need urgent treatment because of their sight threatening nature. Pediatricians and parents have a most important role in the early diagnosis of severe early childhood eye diseases.