Why should children get their eyes checked?
Studies have found that nearly 25% of school-age children have vision problems of which neither they nor their parents are aware. This usually occurs because children don’t know what is clear or blurry because they only know that this is how they’ve seen for as long as they can remember. Many children have not had an eye examination before entering school and so often it is teachers that pick up that a child is not seeing as well as s/he should. But because children in the early classes (preschool and nursery) don’t really look at small objects or images, it may not be picked up early enough. In children with visual disorders, the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better it is for the development of their vision. A recent study found that 11.5% of teenagers have untreated vision problems. Over 80% of what children learn is processed through the eyes. The main test used is visual acuity, and this is done using a standardized eye chart. If the child is too young to know the alphabet, there is a chart with pictures available.
The first chart is the standard eye chart. The second has pictures that the child can describe. The third shows the letter E in various positions and the child simply points in the direction the E is pointing.
However, the chart only checks visual acuity. It doesn’t check other visual requirements that a child needs.
For example, it does not check the near vision. A child two words farsighted, that is to say sees clearly at distance but blurry when an object, etc, is near. In addition, it doesn’t tell you if the eyes are straight, or whether there is an eye turn (strabismus).
What vision is needed for school?
The basic vision skills needed for school use are:
– Near vision – the ability to see clearly at desk level.
– Distance vision – the ability to see the board clearly.
– Binocular coordination – the ability to use both eyes together. This allows a child to write between the lines clearly.
– Eye movement skills – the ability to aim and focus the eyes accurately, and shift them quickly from one object to another, ie from the blackboard and then down to the desk.
– Eye/hand coordination – the ability to use the eyes and hands together.
What happens if they don’t have one/more of these skills?
If any of these skills are not developed, your child will have to work harder. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems. As a parent, look out for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision problem. Be sure to tell your optometrist if your child frequently:
– Loses their place while reading;
– Avoids close work;
– Holds reading material closer than normal;
– Tends to rub their eyes;
– Has headaches;
– Turns or tilts the head to use one eye only.
A good education for your child means good schools, good teachers and good vision. Your child’s eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. If they are not seeing well, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer. The American Optometric Association recommends that children receive their first eye exams around six months of age from the paediatrician, then at about three years of age, and every two years thereafter. Since vision changes can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the optometrist more frequently if specific problems exist. If needed, the doctor can prescribe treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy.
