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Kid Health

Crystal clear Vision care for your children By Christine BorrmannPublished: September, 2009

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Since they have only seen the world through their own two eyes, children accept the vision they are given as normal. For this reason, kids rarely say – or even know – if something is wrong, and most vision problems can easily go undetected by a parent.     Most people agree that the childhood years are the most important in an individual’s growth, and healthy vision development is no exception to the rule.     What can you do to make sure your child’s vision is normal?     According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in children in the United States, and the leading cause of impaired conditions in childhood.     “It has been estimated that as much as 80 percent of learning occurs through a child’s eyes,” says Dr. Raymond Chu, chief of Pediatric Vision Care at the Southern California College of Optometry’s Eye Care Center. “An inefficient visual system may cause a child to read slowly, be less accurate or experience excessive fatigue.”     The inability of children to verbalize any kind of eye discomfort is one of many reasons child eye care should begin sooner than most parents realize.     The AAP states that vision assessment can begin as early as the newborn period. The American Optometric Association’s nationwide public health program, InfantSEE, offers a free first eye exam to children prior to age 1. Participating doctors can be found at infantSEE.org.     Dr. David Kirschen, who has a pediatric optometry private practice in Brea, explains that, assuming no major problems are detected, children should receive their first eye exam prior to age 1, and the second at age 3. Many schools conduct state-mandated vision screenings.     “While these screenings are an intricate part of the visual examination process,” explains Dr. Chris Likens, an optometrist at Irvine’s Woodbridge Optometry, “they are by no means meant to replace a comprehensive eye exam.”     At-school screenings detect only the most serious eye problems. A child can pass the screening and still suffer from a vision problem. In fact, Kirschen says a child just needs to have 20/40 vision or better to pass the screening.     Since most youngsters cannot articulate their aches and pains in great detail, it’s up to you as a parent to spot problems early. According to Chu, the following behaviors may indicate eye problems: eye rubbing, frequent blinking, recurring headaches, covering one eye, reading material held very close to the face or one eye turning in or out.     “Our primary emphasis to the parent is preventative eye health care and the diagnosis of vision problems as early as possible,” says Likens. “If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, doctors advise a comprehensive vision exam right away.     “The evaluation of the child’s eye health can lead to the early diagnosis and management of systemic disease,” he adds.     When it’s time for your child to see an optometrist, it’s important to remember the phrase your kids hear from coaches and teachers daily: It’s all about attitude. Your child’s attitude often directly mirrors your attitude as a parent. Likens suggests bringing your child to your own eye exam, acclimating her to the processes and instruments used. That way, when it comes time for her visit, she will already feel comfortable.     “Similar to choosing a pediatrician with whom you feel comfortable, make sure that you choose an eye-care provider who understands the needs of your child and communicates well with you and your child,” says Chu.      Kirschen similarly emphasizes the importance of attitude and enthusiasm regarding eye exams. “Instead of ‘Johnny has to get glasses,’ it should be, ‘Johnny gets to get glasses!’” says Kirschen. He suggests finding pictures of famous role models, in the sports or entertainment community, for instance, wearing glasses. Making your child excited about getting glasses and seeing clearly will help her to be comfortable sporting her own pair of eyewear.     Contact lenses are becoming an increasingly popular option. While doctors begin fitting children for contacts anywhere from ages 8 to 13, most optometrists agree that the key to the successful use of contact lenses is emotional maturity.    “Children must be able to handle the responsibility of contacts themselves, and there must be motivation to wear contacts by the child, not the adult,” says Likens.      Whether or not children need corrective eyewear or have perfect vision, it is imperative that they have regular eye exams.     “To be successful in school, sports and other activities, the children need normal vision function, eye health and visual acuity,” says Likens.     By taking a prevention-first mindset, you can keep your child’s eyes healthy and vision clear. In the end, she deserves to see the world just as crystal clear as everyone else. Amblyopia: catch it early Amblyopia, most commonly referred to as “lazy eye,” is a condition in which vision in one eye is stronger than vision in the other. Although recent research has concluded that even children over the age of 7 can respond to treatment, the earlier the condition is diagnosed, the easier it is to correct.     Unfortunately, young children are often preverbal or are unable to articulate discomfort, and the condition is often hidden with both eyes open. Amblyopia is the most common cause of blindness in children, making it one of the major reasons why regular eye exams are recommended.     An infant’s vision begins to develop at birth; however, a child may appear to have crossed eyes even at 4 months of age. If muscle control doesn’t develop and a crossing of the eyes is still seen at 6 months, the child should be examined by a professional. With regular eye exams, amblyopia can be detected and corrected at an early age. Christine Borrmann is an intern at OC Family magazine.

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