KIDS VISION

One in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems, yet only 13 percent of mothers with children younger than 2 years of age said they had taken their babies to see an eye and vision care professional for a regular check-up or well-care visit. Moreover, many children at risk for eye and vision problems are not being identified at an early age, when many of those problems might be prevented or more easily corrected. Some 4 million children were born in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In approximately 4 percent, strabismus will develop, and amblyopia will develop in 3 percent-this equates to as many as 100,000 infants born each year who are at risk for serious eye and vision problems.

At Orinda Optometric Vision Center we recommend that every infant have their first eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age. Clinical experience and research have shown that at 6 months, the average child has reached a number of critical developmental milestones, making this an appropriate age for the first eye and vision assessment. Many visual abilities are fully functioning by the age of 6 months. Interference with development during this very critical phase may lead to serious lifelong effects on vision. Successful treatment can be obtained more quickly with early intervention.

The good news about a trip to the optometrist is that there are no shots or cold stethoscopes. While the doctor will be shining a light in the baby's eyes, and may spray a mist on eyelids or use eye drops to dilate the baby's pupils, many infants seem to enjoy the "games" they play as part of the professional assessment.

Age 3 is the perfect time for the second visit to the eye doctor. The exam at age three is much more than a routine screening. By age 3, we can check the child's ability to focus, to see clearly at all distances, and to use both eyes together as a team. We can measure their depth perception and color vision, and we test for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and eye muscle problems such as crossed-eyes and lazy eye.

Parents should take their child to an eye doctor any time that they suspect problems. There are a number of behaviors and signs in children that will key parents that something may be wrong. Behaviors that may be a cause for concern include:

• Squinting
• Sitting very close to the television
• Avoiding reading or looking at picture books
• Covering one eye when looking at something up close
  

Complaints about headaches (In school children, note if these only occur at the end of school days and not on weekends.)

PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR FOR CHILDREN

Does your closet-full of sports equipment include protective eyewear? Regardless of the sport, your eyes are at risk to injury from flying balls or tackling hands. Be sure your entire family is protected with athletic eyewear whether or not a prescription is needed.

What to look for in sports eyewear? One choice is a sports frame with such features as a padded or rubber bridge, deep-grooved eyewires (so lenses won't fall out if the frame is hit hard), a face formed shape for a wider field of view and a headband attachment to keep it in place. Or, a one-piece plastic sports frame with prescription or non-prescription polycarbonate lenses is another choice.

LEARNING AND VISION

This year alone, 20 million children will return to school with a vision problem that may interfere with their ability to learn, contribute to disciplinary problems and put them at risk for permanent vision loss. A recent survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Vision Council of America (VCA) found that only eight percent of adults recognized that vision problems are a leading cause of children's difficulties in school.

Surprisingly, prior to August 2005 only one state, Kentucky, required kindergarten-age children to have a comprehensive eye exam before entering public school. A study on the impact of the Kentucky law found that 1 in 7 children needed vision correction in order to see properly. An additional 3.4 percent had amblyopia (lazy eye) and 2.3 percent had strabismus (crossed or wandering eye), both of which can lead to permanent vision loss.

Among all school-age children, the proportion with a vision problem jumps to an astonishing 1 in 4. According to experts, a major reason for this situation is that very few children receive an eye exam from an eye doctor.

According to the AOA, just 31 percent of children between the ages of six and 16 have had an eye exam in the previous year. That number shrinks to 14 percent among children under the age of six, when most vision-threatening conditions can be effectively treated before permanent vision damage occurs.

Instead of an eye exam from an eye doctor, most children receive a "vision screening" by a school nurse, trained layperson or at their pediatrician's office. A vision screening is far less comprehensive than an eye exam and, while it can detect certain vision problems, it does not allow for diagnosis or treatment of vision disorders.

Vision disorders are one of the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood. Eighty percent of all learning during a child's first 12 years comes through vision, however, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, 20-25 percent of children enter school with significant vision problems, which can affect their development and progress in school. In addition, 70 percent of school-age children who have a learning disability in reading have some form of visual impairment.

Look for these warning signs of poor vision in your child:

• Squinting, closing or covering one eye
• Holding a book close
• Losing his or her place while reading
• Headache, nausea or dizziness
• Excessive clumsiness
• Tilting head to one side
• Frequent daydreaming
• Using a finger as a place-mark while reading
• Performing below potential
• Rubbing eyes repeatedly
  

If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure your child sees an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye examination. Keep in mind that not all problems can be diagnosed by you or a school nurse; only an eye doctor has the training and equipment to catch everything.

CHILDREN AND UV

Children's eyes are particularly sensitive to UV. The lens of a child's eyes does not block UV rays as well as an adult's eyes. Combined with more time spent outdoors, this adds up to damage that accumulates throughout life. Studies show that children are less likely to wear sunglasses than adults. But protecting their eyes is just as important as protecting their skin. Make sure your whole family is adequately protected by wearing UV blocking glasses whenever outdoors.

How can I protect my family's eyes?

Every time you walk outside, your eyes can be damaged by UV rays. The damage is slow, accumulating over the years. Be sure your eyes are protected. A wide brimmed hat provides basic protection. Better yet, chose eyeglasses or sun wear that offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays. While many retailers sell sunglasses, not all provide 100% protection from both UVA and UVB protection. If in doubt, bring your sunglasses by Orinda Optometric Vision Center. We can test them to let you know if your eyes are truly protected. Or come by Orinda Optometric Vision Center to see our wide selection of sunglasses. Every pair we sell offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. We also offer a wide selection of polarized sunglasses, which provide enhanced glare protection, offering the clearest and most comfortable vision available.