Infant & Pediatric Exams
Eye Exams For Infants, Pre-Schoolers and School Age Kids
| Vision disorders are the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood. Despite this, studies show that only about 31 percent of children between ages 6 and 16 years are likely to have had a comprehensive eye and vision examination within the past year, while below the age of 6, only about 14 percent are likely to have had an eye and vision examination. Early detection and treatment are essential to preventing vision conditions that have the potential to cause permanent loss of vision. |
This is such an important issue that the American Optometry Association has designed the InfantSee program, which offer a free comprehensive eye exams for infants up to one year old. We are proud participants of this program, and we welcome your infants for their first eye exam!
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| When Should My Child Have an Eye Exam? | |
| We strongly urge parents to schedule comprehensive eye exams for children at ages 6-12 months, 3 years, and before entry into elementary school. |
After kids start school, a comprehensive exam every year is recommended. These are times when children's eyes are developing quickly, and vision problems are more likely to arise in growing kids. |
What Eye or Vision Problems Can Occur at These Ages?
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Infantile Esotropia Infants between 6 months and 12 months old are the most likely to develop inward eye turns (cross-eyed), or infantile esotropia. This condition prevents the eyes from working together as a team, and from developing good depth perception.
Amblyopia If there is a large enough difference in the vision between the two eyes, the brain will learn to ignore the more blurry eye (amblyopia). If this is not detected and treated, the visual centers of the brain will not develop properly for the blurry eye. We also want to identify neurological disorders (e.g., nystagmus, ptosis) or congenitalmalformations (e.g., congenital cataract) that could permanently affect vision. It is important to diagnose these eye problems as early as possible to begin treatment before vision loss is permanent. |
Accommodative Esotropia When children reach 3 years old, they become susceptible to new vision problems. This is because their eyes have grown so quickly since infancy. It is the size and shape of their eyes that determine whether their vision is normal, or if they will need glasses (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). This age is the most likely for kids to develop a new eye turn related to the need for glasses (accommodative esotropia). If left untreated, this can cause a permanent loss of vision in the turned eye due to amblyopia. Treatment us usually simply to wear glasses to correct farsightedness. This stops the eye turn, and allows the visual parts of the child's brain to develop normally.
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| Why is it Important for School-Aged Kids to Have Eye Exams? | |
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Vision problems generally are not the directcause of learning disorders; however, they can interfere with children’s abilities to perform to their potential. Prevention of vision problems that can affect development, learning and quality of life. For example, research has shown that "in the population of all school age students, 25% suffer from undiagnosed vision problems." |
The problem is even worse with kids at risk. It is estimated that 70% of juvenile offenders have undiagnosed vision problems. "Recidivism was reduced from 45% to 16% when wards received on-site optometric vision therapy at the Regional Youth Education Facility in San Bernardino, California. " (California Department of Youth Authority - 1989). This study emphasizes theimportance identifying and treating vision problems early on in a child's school life. |
| Don't School Vision Screenings Already Catch Kids with Vision Problems? | |
| We believe that school-based screenings are important, and identify many vision problems in kids. However, the vision problems that cause the greatest problems in school are not detected in school vision screenings. For example, kids with pretty high amounts offarsightedness can see the 20/20 line on the vision chart, and pass the vision screening with flying colors. But, studies show that uncorrected farsightedness is related to poor reading progress and its correction with glasses or contact lenses results in improved performance. In contrast, the kids that can't see the 20/20 line and fail vision screenings are usually nearsighted, or have astigmatism. Studies show that these kids have average to above average reading abilities. Studies also show that kids with farsightedness have statistically lower achievement test scores in school. As a result, school-based vision screenings don't catch many kids with vision-related learning problems. We urge regular eye exams to catch farsightedness and correct it to prevent any obstacles to your child's great performance in school. |
•Another vision problem not detected in vision screenings is convergence insufficiency. This is the inability to easily turn the eyes inward to keep a near object clear, and to avoid double vision. Strong convergence is important for reading and doing any type of desk work at school. Untreated convergence insufficiency can result in poor school performance, headaches, eyestrain, or avoidance of near work. Convergence insufficiency affects about 2-5% of the population. The rate is 3 times higher in kids diagnosed with ADHD. In fact, some kids with convergence insufficiency are misdiagnosed with ADHD.Convergence insufficiency can usually be treated with special eye exercises. After this treatment, your child can concentrate on the task of learning, instead of the task of holding their eyes in place to learn. Regular eye exams are essential to catch convergence insufficiency and correct it.
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