Good Childhood Vision Care

All of us would agree that playing is the happiest part of childhood. We all have our share of fond memories of riding bicycles; playing with toy cars or houses; and enjoying all sort of sports, including soccer, softball, and basketball. However, when children suffer from various eye malfunctions, they cannot fully enjoy these activities. Thus, early children’s vision care and detection of certain eye conditions, is extremelyimportant.

Undergoing Tests Before Taking Tests

The American Optometric Association suggests that pre-school children should get comprehensive vision exams when they are six-months-old, three-years-old, and five-years old. In particular, children should receive thorough eye examination during the summer before starting kindergarten. After the testing is completed, an expert reviews the data, and then creates a comprehensive report. Children’s vision care examinations can reveal that children suffer from one of several types of eye conditions.

Conjunctivitis or "pink eye” is an infection that involves the eye’s outermost layer. It can be of three types: allergic, bacterial, and viral; all of which requires unique types of treatment. Except for the allergic variety, this disease is generally contagious.

Next is an eye malfunction known as Crossed Eyes, also called “wandering eye” or “wall eye.” It is an eye condition that affects about 4% of American children, but can be detected with a thorough children’s vision care. This visual defect causes both eyes to point in various directions. For instance, one eye may look straight ahead, while the other looks either up, down, in or out. Thus, the eyes cannot see as a single unit, and cannot see in three dimensions. Children suffering from this condition should receive professional vision therapy via children’s vision care.

Another ailment that can be detected via children’s vision care is the Binocular Vision Impairment. Slightly over 10% of the entire U.S. population suffers from this condition. It causes the two eyes to not function together as a single “team.” Thus, the child will experience a partial or complete disability to function simultaneously, to view depths and see in three dimensions.

Last is amblyopic, or “lazy eye.” This condition affects roughly 2-3% of children in the U.S., and is related to poor control of muscles in a single eye, or reduced visual clarity. Children with this eye problem oftentimes develop problems related to depth perception and seeing in three dimensions, a condition very similar to the two aforementioned disorders. It is very important that this visual problem be detected early, as visual therapy can have a positive impact on it.

When A-B-C Is Not Easy

Furthermore, it is also of utmost importance that children should receive extensive vision care to determine at an early stage whether a child has learning-related visual problems. Observe your child, to determine if he:

1. Holds objects extremely close to his eyes

2. Complains of eyestrain or headaches

3. Has low reading compression

4. Constantly blinks, squints or rubs his eyes after doing close visual work

5. Becomes exhausted after reading

6. Complains about cloudy vision regarding reading or schoolwork

7. Avoids reading

8. Has difficulty differentiating left from right, tying shoelaces, or catching a ball

9. Periodically reverses letters or words

Early detection and proper children’s vision care can save a child from great inconvenience by allowing experts to determine the emergence of any vision problems. After all, childhood should always remain as one of the best moments in a person’s life.