As adults, we’ve learned to be aware of changes in our bodies –including changes in our vision. As we age, we may become even more sensitive. Because we’ve learned that addressing health issues early often results in a more promising prognosis, we do not hesitate to make appointments with our doctors. If we notice that we’re no longer seeing clearly (with our without the aid of corrective lenses), we call our optometrist. Children, on the other hand, do not possess this self-awareness. They may not tell you if they are having difficulty seeing because they don’t recognize it as a problem. As a parent, it’s up to you to identify potential vision issues. The easiest way to do this is through regular eye examinations.
Did you know that your baby should have his or her first vision exam before reaching six months of age? Babies may be born with common vision problems including lazy eye (amblyopia), cross-eye (strabismus), nearsightedness or farsightedness. It is even possible for a baby to be born with cataracts. Fortunately, early identification of vision issues makes it possible to take the proper steps to ensure their correction.
Did you know that most of what your school-age child learns each day is presented visually? According to information available at All About Vision, more than 80 percent of a child’s education involves visuals. In addition, more than 20 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 experience difficulties seeing the chalkboard in their classrooms. While an older child may mention this difficulty, it’s quite possible that the younger ones will just find a way to adapt (i.e. sit closer to the front), preventing detection and correction of the issue.
If a child is having problems seeing the chalkboard or overhead projector screen, it can impair his or her academic performance. If your child has difficulty seeing the words in books, he or she may struggle with learning to read. You can prevent these issues through regular pediatric vision examinations, beginning before entering kindergarten. Your child should then have an eye exam every two years while in school.
If you notice any of the following signs of poor vision in your child, you should schedule an eye appointment as soon as possible:
· Covering one eye while reading, watching television or playing video games
· Persistent headaches
· Requests to sit in the front of the class
· Sitting close to the television
· Squinting frequently
· Excessive eye rubbing
· Difficulty with eye-hand coordination
If your child is nearsighted, farsighted or has astigmatism, the issue can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses (depending on age, of course). However, once he or she reaches 18, LASIK laser vision correction surgery affords another option –and would make a fantastic high school graduation gift.