The Importance of Vision Exams for Children: Our Experience

28 May

As a parent, I learned the hard way about the importance of regular vision exams for children. My six-year-old daughter recently told me she was seeing blurry out of one eye, and my heart sank. We hadn't taken her for an eye exam before, and she needed glasses for amblyopia. This experience underscored how crucial early vision checks are for children’s development.

Clear vision is vital for a child's growth and ability to explore and learn about the world. While most children have good eyesight, undetected vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss in one or both eyes. Thankfully, children don’t need to read or talk to have their eyes examined.

Stages of Eye Development

Babies
By six weeks old, babies should follow colourful objects with their eyes and smile back at people. If your baby struggles to focus or follow movements or if their eyes seem misaligned, there might be an issue. Covering each eye, in turn, can also help identify problems. Occasional squinting is normal, but an optometrist should check persistent squints.

Toddlers and Young Children

Signs of vision problems in toddlers and young children include:

One eye turning in or out, frequently when tired
Frequent eye rubbing
Watery eyes
Clumsiness and poor hand-eye coordination
Avoiding reading, writing, or drawing
Squinting when reading or watching TV
Sitting very close to the TV or holding books or objects close to their face
Behavioural or concentration problems at school
Blurred or double vision or unexplained headaches

Starting School

Some schools provide vision screenings for children aged four to five, but these are not as thorough as exams by an optometrist. If your child’s school doesn’t offer screenings, or if you have concerns, have their eyes tested by an optometrist.

Common Vision Problems

Short-Sightedness (Myopia)

Children with myopia have difficulty seeing distant objects. Myopia is more common now than 50 years ago and often develops at a younger age. Children with myopic parents are at higher risk, so regular eye exams are crucial. Outdoor play can reduce the risk of myopia, but protect their eyes from UV light with sunglasses or hats.

Long-Sightedness (Hyperopia)

Long-sighted children need to focus more on close objects. Mild hyperopia is normal, but severe cases require glasses to prevent amblyopia.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism, where the eye is shaped like a rugby ball rather than a football, causes blurred vision. It's familiar and easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Severe astigmatism can lead to amblyopia if untreated.

Colour Blindness

Colour blindness affects about 1 in 8 boys and 1 in 250 girls, causing confusion between specific colours. If your child is colour-blind, an optometrist can provide guidance.

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Amblyopia affects 1 in 50 children and occurs when one eye is weaker due to significant differences in vision between the eyes or a squint. Treatment involves corrective glasses or a patch over the stronger eye.

Retinoblastoma

A white reflection in the pupil or red-eye in only one eye in flash photographs can indicate retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer. Consult an optometrist if you notice these signs.

Squint

A squint occurs when the eyes look in different directions. About 2-3% of children have this condition, often linked to long-sightedness. Squints are more common if they run in the family.

Conclusion

Regular eye examinations are essential for detecting and treating vision problems early, ensuring your child can see clearly and develop to their full potential. At Arthur Hayes Crowborough, we are proud to have a pediatric optometrist on our team who also works at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, bringing specialized expertise and care to our young patients. Book your child's eye examination today to safeguard their vision and support their development.