Did you know that children's vision can develop all the way until they are 10 years of age? The eyes are ever-changing and children’s eyes are no exception. We take special care with infant vision, pre-school vision and school-aged vision for children. The eyes are continually developing at all of these stages, as good vision is not something your child is initially born with. Optimal vision allows your child to develop the best they can and to succeed while they are in school and developing their minds. Over time, the brain learns to interpret vision, colors and their environment much like the brain learns speech and motor skills. Even children are not exempt from vision problems at a young age, so it’s vital that your child has frequent vision exams to monitor their development. Learn more about your child’s vision and how it develops over time. Come see us today at Optical Masters to have your child’s vision checked and make sure they are on track for success at every milestone.
 

Getting Your Child’s Vision Checked

Did you know that vision exam is just as important for infants and children as they are for adults? The early years are vitally important to the good vision for life, as the eyes are developing in children all the way until they are about 10 years of age. Up until that time as well, children are generally in school and learning education basics that will set them up for the rest of their lives. But what if their vision is bad? Vision development is often overlooked when children are young, which could mean their visual development is off by the time they are older. When children’s vision problems go unnoticed, the brain will learn to accommodate, which makes corrections much more difficult down the road. The American Optometric Association actually recommends that children receive comprehensive pediatric eye exams to monitor their visual growth and development so vision is shaped correctly.
 

Some Facts to Know About Children’s Vision

• The first stage of children’s vision development is between birth and 24 months (called infant vision). The AOA suggests an infant’s first exam happens at 6 months of age unless they are in an at-risk category and need to be seen sooner (such as for premature birth).

• The second stage of children’s vision is between 2 and 5 years (called preschool vision). Children should receive an exam at age 3 and before they start first grade. They should continue to have exams every 2 years after that.

• The third stage of children’s vision is between 6 and 18 years (called school-aged vision).

•  Visual abilities develop during the preschool years and become more concrete by age 10.

• Children should receive comprehensive eye exams every 2 years from birth through age 18 for optimal eye health and development. This time period is usually when visual problems will manifest such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).

• Signs that eye attention is needed in a child include: squinting, tilting their head, sensitivity to light, rubbing their eyes frequently, sitting close to the tv or holding objects close to their face, difficulty with hand-eye coordination and avoiding detailed activities.

• School vision screenings do not compare to comprehensive eye exams. School vision screenings can miss up to 60% of children with vision problems!

• Eye diseases and vision problems are much easier to treat successfully at an early age.

• Children can receive a full comprehensive eye exam without the ability to read or know the alphabet. We have special technology to allow us to do a full vision check even in small infants.

• In a pediatric eye exam, we will look for problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, proper eye alignment, eye movement ability, amblyopia, reactions to light and dark, congenital cataracts and strabismus. There are over 100 tests we can perform depending on your child’s needs.
   

Why Are Exams So Important?

If you see the last point above, there are many visual problems that can be present, even at a very young age. The good news is that the majority of these problems can be treated and even corrected successfully with early and proper treatment. Eye exams allow us to monitor whether the vision is changing or staying stable in a child. When an eye problem is present and goes unchecked, it could make learning harder for your child. If there is a visual deficiency, the brain will also overcompensate for the eye problem and your child could have frequent or daily headaches, eye fatigue, irritability, and blurred vision. So skip the headache (literally) and schedule your child’s pediatric comprehensive exam with us today by calling our Optical Masters office at (303) 377-0752!