The Importance Of Eye Exams For Children

Doctors recommend that children should undergo age appropriate exams for eye problems. Eye exams for children should be performed after they are born and during subsequent physician visits. Premature infants or those born in families that have a history of eye tumors, congenital cataracts and genetic disease should be examined by an eye specialist in the nursery. Infants should be evaluated to be sure that every eye focuses, there is no internal eye disease and the eyes are straight.

The ability to see improves as a baby gets older. Babies first notice moving things. They then begin seeing facial expressions like the smile of their parents. It takes longer for depth perception and color vision to develop and for eye muscles to begin working together. Since you know your child best, you should take him or her for an eye assessment if you notice that the eyes are turning out or in, or if they are appearing white in photos.

During the first year, it is important to look out for some signs of possible vision problems. One of them is strabismus. This is when the eyes are misaligned and do not move together. Another sign is nystagmus. This is when wavy, dancing or wiggling eye movements continue after a baby is three months old. You can also take your child for an eye exam if you notice a physical change or an indication that his or her sight is not developing normally.

A pediatrician can treat minor eye health problems like infections easily. If the physician has more concerns about the vision of your child, the next step is to refer him or her to an eye specialist. When assessing the eyes of children, doctors perform a series of tests to evaluate their vision and look out for eye ailments. They can use a variety of instruments to perform the tests. Doctors may also shine bright lights directly at the eyes and request the patient to look through several lenses. Each test evaluates a different aspect of the eye health or vision of a child.

Eye assessments for children help confirm that minors have the visual skills required to perform well in school and other areas. These skills include distance vision, near vision, focusing skills, hand eye coordination, peripheral awareness and binocular coordination. Minors do not always know what normal vision is. Therefore, they are not likely to complain of vision problems.

Vision is closely linked to the learning process. Therefore, it is essential for learning related vision problems to be detected early so that the schoolwork of your child will not be affected. If your child is not performing well in school, an eye exam can rule out vision related learning problems.

Vision problems are more responsive to treatment when they are diagnosed early. According to the American Optometric Association, babies should have their first eye assessment at the age of six months. Kids should have additional assessments at age three, and at about age five and six.

For school aged kids, the American Optometric Association recommends eye exams every two years if vision correction is not required. Children who need contact lenses or eyeglasses should be examined every year. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can advise you if your child needs more exams.

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