August 13, 2015

Dept. of Health: Keeping your children's eye health in sight

Children's Eye Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's back-to-school time and you're prepared with your child's enrollment forms, orientation schedules, and immunizations, but what about their eyes?

It's not necessarily something that is top of mind for moms and dads, but it's important. Our kids need to be able to see what they're doing not just in the classroom, but in all aspects of life. August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month, a great signal for you to get your child's eyes checked as school starts.

Children's Eye Health and Safety Awareness month was created to inspire parents to make their child's vision health a priority. Most children have healthy eyes, but there are conditions that can threaten good vision.

For example, healthy eyesight can help improve a child's chance at success in the classroom. Because you can't always "look" into your child's eyes to tell if they have eye health problems, it's important to set up a time for an eye exam:

The American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommends children's eyes should be examined during regular pediatric appointments and vision testing should be conducted around age 3. Parents should be aware of signs that may indicate their child has vision problems, including:

•Trouble seeing things that are only a few feet away

•Difficulty reading

•Squinting

•Sitting too close to the TV

•Constant redness of the eyes

•Constant tearing of the eyes

•Eyes sensitive to the light

If your child has vision trouble, he or she is not alone. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems. Of children ages three to five, close to one in 20 have a problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. Eighty-percent of preschoolers do not receive vision screenings. Millions of children have some type of vision problem that requires medical treatment or glasses."