Sharing is caring!
Share
Tweet
Share
With school just around the corner, it is important that all children have a vision screening to ensure that the quality of their eyesight will help, rather than hinder, their learning ability. “Vision plays an extremely important role in childhood development; academically, socially and athletically,” says Kara M. Cavuoto, M.D., assistant professor of clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of UHealth – the university of Miami health System.
If a young child’s eyes cannot send clear images to the brain, his or her vision may become limited in ways that cannot be corrected later in life. If problems are detected early, it may be possible to treat them effectively.
One of the many services that school health programs offer to students is vision screening. Vision screenings at the pediatrician’s office or at the school are important since children may not realize they have a vision problem. parents might recognize the signs of vision impairment before children express having a problem with their vision.
Below is a checklist of signs to look for that may indicate if a child has a problem affecting their vision:
Does your child seem to have difficulty seeing objects that you or others see?
Does your child hold objects very close to the face?
Does your child have frequent headaches?
Is there an unusual appearance to the eyes?
Is there frequent blinking or eye rubbing?
Is there swelling or redness in one or both eyes?
Is there unusual sensitivity to light?
Do one or both eyelids droop or does one eyelid tend to close?
Is the iris (colored part of the eye) different in color in the two eyes?
Do the eyes tend to “shake” or show to-and-fro movements (nystagmus)?
Do the eyes appear to turn in, out, up or down or tend to intermittently drift off center?
Is there a head tilt or turn, particularly when concentrating on objects at a distance or near?
Related peace of Mind: knowing who Your kids Are Around
Four common vision and eye disorders in school-age children include:
1. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common vision problem in children, typically developing between ages six and adolescence. With this condition, the child’s distance vision is impaired, making the blackboard or teacher at the front of the room seem blurry. myopia is usually treated with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
2. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, which may cause headache, blurred vision or crossing of the eyes. Hyperopia is usually treated with glasses or contact lenses.
3. Amblyopia, which literally means “dullness of vision”, refers to a reduction in vision in one, or occasionally, both eyes. Amblyopia is commonly caused by refractive error (hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, or a combination of hyperopia or myopia with astigmatism). Amblyopia is usually treated with glasses, patching or eye drops.
4. Strabismus is another common eye disorder that refers to eyes that are misaligned by turning in, out, up or down. Treatment of strabismus may include eye exercises, glasses, patching, eye drops, or occasionally, surgery.
Parents should keep vision in mind when equipping their children with all the necessary tools for a successful school year. parents are encouraged to screen their children’s vision before starting school.
If potential eye or vision problems are detected during a vision screening, or if there is a family history of significant pediatric eye or vision disorders, the child is usually referred for a comprehensive eye examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist. In contrast to a vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam involves the use of eye drops to dilate the pupil, enabling a more extensive investigation of the overall health of the eye and the visual system.
Related 4 benefits of natural Light in the Home
About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Dr. Kara Cavuoto
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the nation’s best in ophthalmology by U.S. news & world Report, an honor it has received for the 15thtime.In addition to its international reputation as one of the premier companies of eye care in the world, Bascom Palmer is the largest ophthalmic care, research and educational facility in the southeastern United States. Each year, more than 250,000 patients are treated with nearly every ophthalmic condition and more than 18,000 surgeries are performed. With four patient care facilities in Florida (Miami, palm beach Gardens, Naples and Plantation), the Institute serves as the department of Ophthalmology for the university of Miami Miller school of Medicine, part of UHealth-University of Miami health System. Bascom Palmer faculty members also staff the Miami and West palm beach veterans Affairs medical Centers, Jackson Memorial hospital and Miami Children’s Hospital. For information on Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, contact Natali Latorre at (305) 326-6190 or nlatorre@med.miami.edu, or check out www.bascompalmer.org.
Link to this post:Go Back-to-School with healthy Vision
0/5
(0 Reviews)
Sharing is caring!
Share
Tweet
Share