Moms & Kids: Aa, Bb, See
START EYE EXAMS BEFORE YOUR CHILD STARTS SCHOOL
How early should your child have his or her eyes examined? Many eye care professionals recommend that a child have an eye exam before starting school, preferably by the age of 3. After that, an eye exam should be performed regularly because vision problems can emerge as children grow. Even if there’s no evidence of a problem, it is important for your child to be examined before entering school.
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED AN EYE EXAM?
When you’re deciding whether or not you should take your child in for an eye exam, consider the following:
· Home tests or vision screenings will not detect all of a child’s vision problems
· 80% of what a child learns during the first 12 years is obtained through vision
· 1 in 4 children has an undiagnosed vision problem
· Visual impairment in children is associated with developmental delays and the need for special educational, vocational and social services
VISION SCREENINGS ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE
Why aren’t simple vision screenings or distance vision tests using a Snellen chart adequate? They only identify 5% of vision problems in children. And while they offer an early indication of problems relating to distance eyesight, they miss other critical vision deficiencies that can affect a child’s eye health, development, and school and learning performance. A child who checks out 20/20 on the Snellen eye chart may still have vision problems that need to be corrected.
A COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAM IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR DETECTING VISION PROBLEMS
A comprehensive eye exam measures a number of visual skills that are critical to a child’s healthy vision, including:
· Using both eyes as a team
· The ability for the eyes to focus properly when reading a book or viewing a computer
· The ability for the eyes to move properly when reading across pages of print
TEN WARNING SIGNS
These signs may indicate that your child has vision difficulties:
1. Squinting, closing or covering one eye
2. Holding a book close to the face
3. Losing his/her place while reading
4. Headache, nausea or dizziness
5. Excessive clumsiness
6. Tilting the head to one side
7. Frequent daydreaming
8. Using a finger as a place marker while reading
9. Performing below potential
10. Rubbing eyes repeatedly
Even if your child does not display any of these symptoms, he/she may still have a vision problem.
FOCUS ON MORE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S EYES
For more information about vision health, contact Baldwin Eye Care, LLC.
Call Baldwin Eye Care, LLC to schedule an appointment with your eye care professional. It’s important to seek a professional diagnosis to determine the correct cause of your symptoms.
Baldwin Eye Care LLC - Caring for your eyes, total I care health. Staff@BaldwinEyeCareLLC.com
(608) 837-7325