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One
in four children ages 5 to 12 has an undiagnosed vision problem that may affect
their educational performance. Unfortunately, children with vision problems
often have no way of knowing that what they are seeing is different than what
others see. It is up to the adults in their life to help children reach their
potential by ensuring that they are free of vision problems.
All
children should have their eyes examined at or before their fourth birthday. If
there is a family history of misaligned eyes, childhood cataracts or a serious
eye disease, children should have their eyes examined before age three. Vision
problems often respond to treatment better during the growth and development of
a child's visual system, so early detection could be the key to good vision.
Telltale
signs that your child could have a vision problem:
·
Squinting,
rubbing or blinking eyes a lot
·
Using a
finger as a placemark when reading
·
Holding
head at an awkward angle when reading
·
Closing
or covering one eye to focus
·
Holding
reading material close to face
·
Having
red or crusty eyes
Eye examinations are quick and painless, but a child who has never had an eye exam may be quite fearful. To set an example, parents can have their own eyes examined first, while the child watches. This allows the child to see what will happen during the exam and ask any questions. You can then sit with them during their exam to calm any remaining fears.
