Introduction:
Pediatricians typically perform a quick vision test during a child's annual medical. Still, it is essential to note that this is not a replacement for an in-depth examination by an ophthalmologist. The child's eye health and visual ability are assessed by eye experts using specialized clinical and diagnostic devices and evaluations. Doctors advise children to undergo their first eye test even before they reach school age because many learning skills, including binocular vision, precise eye movements, and the capacity to see distant objects, are based on the strength of visual skills.
What Is the Recommended Schedule for Child Vision Screening?
A vision screening is a more effective form of eye examination. Children are screened for eye abnormalities and referred to an ophthalmologist for a thorough examination.
Screening the child's vision can be done by:
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Pediatrician.
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Family physician.
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Ophthalmologist.
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Other qualified healthcare professionals.
Screenings are provided at community events, community health clinics, and schools. The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the American Academy of Ophthalmology advise the following schedule.
Newborn:
A newborn's eyes should be examined by a physician or other qualified healthcare provider to look for basic signs of eye health.
It might involve looking for:
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A "red reflex" (similar to the appearance of red eyes in a flash photograph). If the intense light shining in each eye fails to elicit a red reflex, further testing might be required.
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Pupil reaction and blinking.
A thorough examination by an ophthalmologist is recommended if the infant is:
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Exhibits symptoms of an eye condition.
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Or a history of childhood eye illness in the family.
6 to 12 Months:
A second screening should occur during the child's first year of life. This screening is often performed at a well-child examination between six and twelve months.
The pediatrician or other health care provider for the child should do the following:
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Take the previously mentioned tests.
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Visually examine the eyes.
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Verify the proper alignment and movement of the eyes.
12 to 36 Months:
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A child is evaluated for normal eye development between 12 and 36 months. A test known as "photo screening" might be used. The child's eyes are photographed with a specialized camera. These images aid in identifying issues that may result in amblyopia or lazy eye. If an issue is found, the child might be referred to an ophthalmologist.
3 to 5 Years:
A child’s eyesight and alignment should be examined between the ages of 3 and 5. An optometrist, orthoptist, ophthalmologist, family physician, or pediatrician can do the procedure. Visual acuity testing should begin when a child can read an eye chart. Many children have hyperopia or slight farsightedness but can still see well from a distance. Most children do not require glasses or any other kind of vision correction. Photo screening could assess vision if the youngster has trouble using the eye chart.
If the screening indicates any of the following:
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Misaligned eyes (strabismus).
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Amblyopia, or "lazy eye".
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Refractive errors (astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia).
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Or additional difficulty focusing.
The most important thing to do for the child's eye protection is to start therapy for these issues as soon as possible.
5 Years and Older:
Children should undergo screening for alignment and visual acuity at age five. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common condition in this age range. It is fixed with spectacles. An ophthalmologist should evaluate a child with misaligned eyes or other indicators of eye disease. Eye exams should be performed on children receiving growth hormone therapy before and during treatment.
How Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Differ From a Vision Screening?
A complete eye examination is used to diagnose eye diseases. During the exam, eye drops are utilized to dilate the pupil. This allows ophthalmologists to see inside your eyes more thoroughly. Dilation and other specialized testing help to highlight the symptoms of eye disease. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that parents schedule a full eye examination if:
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Their child does not pass the vision screening
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Vision screening is not possible or is inconclusive.
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Recommended by a school nurse or pediatrician
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Their child is at risk of developing eye issues, has a complaint about their eyesight, or has shown odd visual behavior. Pediatric eye disorders are more common in children with certain medical illnesses (such as neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome, preterm and juvenile idiopathic arthritis), as well as in families with a history of amblyopia, congenital cataracts, retinoblastoma, strabismus, or glaucoma.
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Their child suffers from a neuropsychological disorder, behavioral problem, developmental delay, or learning disability.
What Are the Causes of Eye Problems in Babies and Children?
Eye tests can diagnose a variety of eye issues, such as:
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Childhood cataracts are spots of cloudiness in the eye's lens that are present from birth.
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Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a condition in which a single eye's vision fails to develop normally.
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Strabismus, is a condition in which the eyes squint or stare in separate directions
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Myopia, or shortsightedness, makes close items look blurry while distant objects are visible.
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Hyperopia, or long sight, causes close objects to appear out of focus while distant objects are sharply seen.
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Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea, the transparent layer in front of the eye, is not perfectly curved.
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Color vision deficit, sometimes known as color blindness, is a condition that more commonly affects boys than girls. It causes problems perceiving colors or differentiating between them.
What Are the Signs of an Eye Problem?
Although children should have regular eye tests as they grow up, it is still important to look out for signs of problems. The checklist in the baby's personal child health record can help check if the child's vision is developing normally.
The following are indications of a potential eye condition in older children:
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The eyes are not oriented in the same direction
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Symptoms include headaches and eye strain.
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Issues with reading include the need to hold books close to their faces and frequent place lessness.
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Difficulties with hand-eye coordination.
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Being exceptionally clumsy.
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Frequently massaging their eyes.
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Sitting too close to the television.
Conclusion:
It is important to identify a problem as early as possible. Children of any age can get tested for vision. They don't need to speak or even read. An eye exam is essential if your family has a history of childhood vision issues like squint or lazy eye.
