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Children's Eyes

Children's Eyes

When to Examine Children's Eyes?

Do you have children? Have they had an eye examination within the past two years? Ever?

If not, then they are certainly due for a checkup. In fact, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children have their first complete vision evaluation before they are 6 months old! Obviously, the examination of an infant's vision is much different than the examination of an adult, but many eye and vision problems can be detected at this early age.

The AOA also recommends that children have a vision evaluation at age 3 and age 5.
Despite this recommendation, studies show that fewer than 15 percent of children entering kindergarten have ever had a formal eye exam.

This special population needs special care. Regular, routine eye and vision evaluations are a vital part of this care.
 
Vision develops significantly after birth. Newborns will only react to objects that are large, bold, and close to them. New techniques for examining infants have been developed over the last 20 years. Specialists who have been trained in these techniques are now able to complete many components of the adult examination in an infant examination. This enables us to not only detect blurred vision in an infant, but also make sure that an infant's vision will develop well during childhood.

It is important to realize that children may not be aware that they have a vision problem, and may not complain to parents or teachers despite an existing problem. Lazy eye and nearsightedness, two very common vision conditions in children, often exist without symptoms. Only with an examination by an eye care specialist can these conditions be found and properly treated.

 Parents should be aware of symptoms that may indicate that a child has a vision or visual processing problem. Be sure to tell an optometrist if a child frequently:

• Loses his or her place while reading;
• Avoids close work;
• Holds reading material closer than normal;
• Tends to rub his or her eyes;
• Has headaches;
• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only;
• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing;
• Uses finger to maintain place when reading;
• Omits or confuses small words when reading;
• Consistently performs below potential.

Studies indicate that 60 percent of children identified as "problem learners" actually suffer from undetected vision problems. According to the AOA's American Eye-Q® survey, only 39 percent of adults understand that behavioral problems can be an indication of vision problems.

Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to treat and correct vision problems to help children see clearly. The AOA recommends that a child's first eye exam take place at six months of age. Unless problems are detected, the next exam should be at age three, and then every two years once a child begins school. Unfortunately, the Eye-Q® survey showed that 57 percent of children did not receive their first eye exam until age five or older.

A complete eye and vision examination should include an assessment of:

• Visual clarity
• Eye alignment
• Eye movement and focusing skills (important in reading)
• Refractive error (glasses prescription)
• Eye teamwork
• Eye health (including pupillary dilation for a full inspection of the internal eye)

Children should be examined thoroughly for nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye, crossed or turned eyes, color vision deficiencies, and eye health problems such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and optic nerve and retinal problems.