Vision problems in children may be hard to detect
Children do not know what normal vision should appear to be, and parents cannot see through their children’s eyes. Research indicates that early detection and intervention are particularly important in children because of the rapid development of the visual system in early childhood. The brain must have clear vision from each eye if normal neurological development is to take place. It is best to use a trained eye doctor to detect the sometimes-subtle vision problems in early childhood.
School vision-screening tests are not a substitute for an eye exam
They only test for straight-ahead vision at 20 feet or more. These tests are incomplete and occur too late in your child’s life. They miss many vision problems including disease inside the eye. Vision screening by primary care doctors may result in late detection of vision problems. Less than 10 percent of children receive even this rudimentary vision exam.
Vision is partially a learned skill that develops from birth
Therefore, the earlier a problem is detected and corrected, the better off the child will be throughout life. Children need to develop the neurological eye-hand-body coordination and the visual motor ability necessary to learn to read. Reading requires good coordinated vision skills — visual acuity, integration of fixation, tracking, focusing, binocular (two eyes) fusion, and full visual fields.
An optometric pediatric examination is essential
It is the only way to be certain your child’s vision is developing normally. This exam should be done before the age of three. Early detection and treatment are keys to preventing vision conditions that have the potential to cause permanent loss of vision.
Can an eye doctor do a full complete vision exam on a child?
Yes. Of course, the tests are modified for children. An optometric pediatric eye exam does not require that the child know the alphabet or how to read. A thorough history is taken in addition to the physical examination.
Problems are not always apparent
Roughly 17 percent of children have a hidden problem.
• Eye muscle imbalance (strabismus and crossed eyes)
• Muscle restrictions (ocular motility)
• Lazy eye (amblyopia)
• Poor binocular vision (ability of eye to lock on, track, and fixate on a target)
• Inability to fuse a target into one clear image
• A refractive problem (farsighted, nearsighted, or astigmatism)
• One eye a different correction than the other eye (anisometropia)
• An eye disease (malignant retinoblastoma appears in the first three years)
A through examination tests for these and other problems. Strabismus and amblyopia can be detected at birth and must be treated before the age of three.
Missing these problems can affect the quality of your child’s life
Comfort, appearance, athletics, and job opportunities can be effected. Early detection results in early correction. Only an eye doctor can determine the steps necessary to properly care for your child’s eyes — glasses, vision therapy, vision training, etc.
Questions?
Please call my office at 407-359-8016
