According to ThinkAboutYourEyes.com, five to 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems. However, many of these go undetected because children are often unable to articulate when and if they have an issue. This is because many children are actually unaware of the problem themselves, having lived with these issues their entire lives. Quite simply, these children do not know what normal vision looks like. This is why the American Optometric Association has compiled a list of warning signs to help detect potential eye problems in children. These warning signs include:
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Sitting close to the TV
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Squinting
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Excessive blinking
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Holding reading materials close to the face
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Tilting their head
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Rubbing the eyes frequently
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Failure to maintain eye contact
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Turning of an eye in or out
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Inability to maintain a gaze (fixation) while looking at objects
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Sensitivity to light
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Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination
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Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles, and other detailed activities
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Poor eye tracking skills
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Delayed motor development
If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – as soon as possible. Early identification of a child’s vision problem is crucial. Yet, nearly 50 percent of parents with children under the age of six have never taken their child to the eye doctor, according to ThinkAboutYourEyes.com. Perhaps even more surprising, 60 percent of parents don’t feel eye exams are an essential part of a child’s healthy checkup schedule, and 50 percent believe on children who need glasses/contacts should regularly see an eye doctor. However, if left undetected many childhood vision problems can be mistakenly diagnosed as a learning disorder, or worse, can eventually cause permanent vision loss. This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend the following:
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Newborn: It is recommended that all newborns undergo a red reflex test, which is a basic indicator that a baby’s eyes are normal.
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Infant: A second vision screening is recommended between six months and one year old.
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Preschooler: It is recommended to have a child’s eye alignment and visual acuity tested between the ages of 3 and 4.
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School age: It is important to have a child’s vision tested upon entering school or whenever a vision problem is suspected.
Eye exams for children are important for normal vision development and academic achievement, as vision is closely linked to the learning process.
The Anne Arundel Eye Center
The Anne Arundel Eye Center, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, AAEC’s state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
As part of our comprehensive medical evaluation, we will be happy to provide you with a referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can fit you for glasses or contacts or provide Lasik services.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Nicole Kershner, Dr. Kathryn Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010. AAEC is staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals who will help guide you on your healing journey.