About 80 percent of what children learn is done with their eyes, according to the website allaboutvision.com. Most schools provide vision screenings and check distance and reading vision in young children. However, more extensive testing is sometimes needed, especially if a child is having problems in school, headaches, or other problems that may or may not seem vision-related. Pediatric optometrists and ophthalmologists are specially trained to look for vision problems in children.
Vision Screenings
Unfortunately, vision screenings may miss up to 60 percent of children who have problems, according to the American Optometric Association, or AOA. A vision screening is a basic evaluation used to determine the need for further testing. Vision screenings usually involve testing basic visual acuity, which is how well a person can see in the distance and up close. This is done by having a child read a projected screen on a wall that contains letters, numbers or pictures and also reading off a printed card. The AOA notes that vision problems occur in about 10 percent of preschool children and 25 percent of school-age kids.
Symptoms of Vision Problems
In addition to obvious problems with reading or seeing, other signs of vision impairment symptoms include covering an eye to read, eyes that turn in or out, frequent headaches, watery eyes, trouble remembering what was just read or frequently losing place when reading. Symptoms of vision problems like short attention span may mimic other problems, such as attention deficit disorder.
Vision Examinations for Children
Eye examinations for children are much more comprehensive than a basic vision screening. Pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists consider a child's health history as well as check eye health by looking inside and examining the structure of the eye. In addition to measuring visual acuity, the doctor checks the eye muscles, focusing ability, depth perception, tracking, and eye-hand coordination with special ophthalmic instruments.
Prevention/Solution
Most eye doctors recommend eye examinations every two years for children unless vision or other health problems indicate the need for an exam more frequently.
Considerations
Schedule eye examination appointments for a child at a time of day when she is most likely to be well rested, alert and in a receptive mood. This helps give parents, children and the doctor the best opportunity for a good vision exam.
