Introduction – Kids Eye Exams
Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life, this includes regular medical check-ups, including kids eye exams. As a passionate advocate for children’s eye health, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to present on the importance of pediatric eye exams at the recent “The Baby Show” convention. My goal was to spread awareness and educate new parents on the importance of regular kids eye exams and children’s eye exams to ensure optimal vision development. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience, tips, and takeaways from my presentation on pediatric eye exams, in the hopes of inspiring others to take an active role in their child’s eye health.
What can my baby see? Visual milestones from your kids eye exams.
Newborns:
- 0-1 month
- Generally poor vision
- Blink in response to light
- Stare at objects within 8” of face
- Eye movements are uncoordinated
- Look at faces and pictures with high contrast black and white images
- 2-4 months:
- Eyes work together to track objects, but may still appear to wander and cross
- Make eye contact with parents
- Notice familiar objects up to 1 foot away
- Start to see colours
- Began to associate visual stimuli and an event (ex. bottle and feeding)
- Watch their hands
- Start to reach for objects around 3 months
- 5-8 months:
- Depth perception begins to develop; start to see the world in 3-D
- Good colour vision
- Able to reach and grab for objects near and far
- Begin crawling: enhancing hand-eye coordination
- Eye movements are smooth and coordinated
- Efficiently use vision distance and near
- 9-12 months
- Grasp objects with thumb and forefinger
- Pull up to a stand and try to walk
- Watch faces and try to imitate expressions
- Able to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar
- Able to judge distances
Toddlers
- 1-2 years old
- Both distance and near vision good
- Can track fast moving objects
- Able to discriminate between simple geometric forms
- Eye color finalizes
- Able to switch focus from far to near and vice versa
- Turns pages in a book
- 2-3 years old
- Can imitate movements, and match shapes
- Walk stairs
- Eyes and hands less associated
- Vocabulary rapidly expands speaks in 2-3 word sentances
Preschoolers
- 3-5 years old
- Can read most lines on an eye chart
- Improved visual memory: start to copy shapes when drawing
- Improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
- Fully developed depth perception
- Begin to recite alphabet
- Eyes are able to focus together to follow words across the page
Myths and Facts about your Kids Eyes
Is blinking a sign of an eye problem?
Blinking is a common sign of eye problems in children and may be caused by blurred vision, eye strain, allergies, infection, or light sensitivity. An eye examination can often find the reason for the blinking so it can be treated.
Is my child too young for an eye exam?
Vision tests using symbols or pictures are designed for children as young as six months of age. Other tests for eye coordination, the ability to focus, and eye health can be done at any age.
Will my child tell me if they have vision or eye problems?
Young children usually don’t know that they see differently than other children – they think that everyone sees what they do.
Effects of poor vision on reading and writing:
Poor vision can have a significant impact on a child’s reading and writing abilities. When a child has an undiagnosed or untreated vision problem, it can make it difficult for them to see words and letters clearly, which can make it challenging for them to learn and retain information. This can result in decreased reading speed and accuracy, making it harder for the child to keep up in school and complete their homework. Furthermore, poor vision can also lead to eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, making it even more challenging for children to focus and retain information.
In addition to the impact on academics, poor vision can also affect a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Children who struggle to see and read may feel like they are falling behind their peers and become frustrated and discouraged. This can impact their social and emotional development, as well as their overall well-being. Therefore, it is essential for parents and caregivers to prioritize regular eye exams for their children to ensure that any vision problems are detected and treated early, enabling them to reach their full potential both academically and socially.
Children’s vision stats from your kids eye exams:
- 80% of a child’s learning involves vision and visual processing.
- 1 in 4 school-age children has an undiagnosed vision problem.
- Children rarely complain about vision problems because they don’t realize they see the world differently from others.
- Vision problems can be mistaken for other developmental issues, such as dyslexia or ADHD.
- An estimated 19 million school-aged children have vision problems that can impact their learning and development.
- Some studies suggest that approximately 10% of children have strabismus (eye turn), amblyopia (lazy eye), or both.
- UV exposure is cumulative and can increase the risk for eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration later in life.
- More than 40% of children report using digital devices for more than 2 hours a day.
- Too much screen time can lead to digital eye strain, fatigue, and dry eyes in children.
- Children’s eyes can receive three times the amount of UV radiation than an adult’s eyes, making it crucial to protect their eyes with sunglasses.
How often should a child have a kids eye exam?
Regular eye exams for children are important for maintaining their visual health and development. It’s recommended that children receive their first eye exam by the age of 6 months, followed by annual exams. However, frequency of exams may vary depending on the child’s individual needs, family history of eye problems, or other underlying conditions. During an eye exam, an eye doctor can detect and diagnose any potential vision problems early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing any long-term effects on the child’s vision. Additionally, early detection and treatment of vision problems can help children reach their full potential in school and other areas of life. So it’s important to make sure your child receives regular eye exams to ensure that they are seeing their best.
Are kids eye exams covered by MSP in British Columbia?
Eye exams for children are important to ensure their visual development is on track, and to catch any issues early on. In British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers the cost of eye exams for children under the age of 19 at many clinics. This is a great resource for parents as it eliminates financial barriers to accessing eye care for their children. Regular kids eye exams can help identify any potential vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and minimizing any negative impact on the child’s visual development and overall health. It’s recommended that children have their first eye exam at the age of 6 months and continue to have regular eye exams as they grow. To ensure your child’s vision stays healthy, schedule regular eye exams and take advantage of the MSP coverage in British Columbia.
What are some warning signs for kids’ vision issues?
There are many warning signs that can indicate a child is experiencing vision problems. These can include blurred or double vision, holding objects close to the eye, tilting the head or covering/closing one eye, a strabismus (turned eye), difficulty with reading and/or avoiding close work, poor performance in school, rubbing, tearing, red, itchy or burning eyes, poor coordination in sports and fine motor activities such as printing, headaches, eye strain, squinting, and excessive blinking. These symptoms can be a sign of a serious issue and parents should not ignore them. It is important to seek a professional eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you notice any of these warning signs in your child. Early detection and treatment of vision problems can help to ensure that your child’s eyesight is healthy and developing properly.
Should my child wear sunglasses?
Protecting your eyes from UV radiation is just as important as putting sunscreen on to protect your skin. Children receive three times the amount of UV exposure than the average adult, which can have long-term effects on their eye health. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to damaging UV radiation occurs before the age of 18. This is why it is crucial to take preventative measures from an early age to ensure that your child’s eyes are protected from harmful UV radiation. Furthermore, exposure to UV radiation is cumulative, meaning that it builds up over time, making it even more important to take protective measures early on in life.
What eye problems can UV rays cause?
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Photokeratitis
- Pingueculae
- Pterygium
Many long term problems are initially symptom free, detection and prevention is key!
What can I do to protect my eyes?
- Wear sun protection
- Wide-brimmed hats, baseball caps, sunglasses
- Never look directly in the sun
- Be conscious of the daily UV index
- Learn about different sources of UV radiation
- Including reflections from snow, water, and pavement
- Keep out of direct sunlight between 10:00am and 4:00pm
Conclusion:
In conclusion, kids eye exams are a critical aspect of your child’s overall health and development. By staying informed about your child’s visual milestones, being aware of the myths and facts about children’s eye health, and taking into consideration the serious impact of poor vision, you can help ensure your child’s eyesight is protected and preserved. Regular eye exams, proper use of sunglasses, and limiting screen time can all play important roles in preserving your child’s eyesight and visual development. By spreading awareness and prioritizing your child’s eye health, you are making a significant investment in their future and overall well-being. So, take action today and schedule your child’s next eye exam, it may just be one of the most important steps you take in ensuring their bright future.
This post aimed to provide an overview of the presentation I gave for new parents outlining their babies’ eyes and vision, we hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed presenting on it. For more detailed information, please consider visiting Prpic Eyecare Centre. Our services can help you and your child maintain your ocular health and protect your vision. You can reach us by calling 604-337-2575 or emailing info@prpiceyecare.com.
