Pediatric Eye Care
It is crucial for children to receive pediatric eye care with an exam before or around the child’s first birthday. The difficulty with pediatric eye care is that children are going to have difficulty vocalizing any vision issues they might have. A child will not always understand the differences between clear or blurry vision until the child is older. By scheduling regular eye exams, parents can ensure that their children receive the proper vision care they need.
Catch the signs early on
Parents who bring their child in for eye examination early in life will be able to help identify any vision issues. People may not realize that the eyes rely on muscles and the level of vision will change as the child ages. Since the child’s eyes are still in development at a young age, vision can change over time.
We recommend that children, 5-years-old and up, have regular eye exams and screenings to ensure that their vision is aging properly. There are multiple signs that a child is having difficulty seeing that include:
- Squinting to see at distances
- Having difficulty seeing the board from the back of the classroom
- Frequent headaches
- Constantly rubbing the eyes
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Poor focus and visual tracking
- Chronic redness or tearing of the eyes
- Difficulty reading
- Sitting too close to the TV
It is important to note that these signs will not be nearly as noticeable or prominent as signs of other illnesses. A child may not even be aware of the vision issues right away, going for several months without mentioning it to the parents or teacher. If your child is displaying any of these signs, it is most likely not the sign of a medical emergency. Instead, it is a sign that your child needs vision assistance to see clearly and function in daily life. Seeking early treatment will allow us to correct the problem and prevent the child from having more vision issues in the future.
Recommended treatment of pediatric eye care
For children under the age of 10, glasses are the typical treatment option to help correct vision. While surgery is a possible form of treatment, it is only necessary in extreme cases. It is much more cost-efficient and healthy to use corrective lenses for regular vision issues instead of surgery when surgery is not necessary. For children who seem to be against wearing glasses, letting them pick out the frames can help.
Parents can look for any plastic frames that are more durable than metal frames. While even younger children can be responsible with their glasses, accidents happen, especially with children. Children who are 10-years-old or older may be able to wear contact lenses if they can follow all of the necessary steps. Since one has to insert, remove and clean contact lenses on a regular basis, glasses are a preferable option until children are older. There are even forms of glasses lenses that are more durable than normal and can survive scratches, drops and damage.
Another benefit of receiving pediatric eye care from a professional office, such as our office, is that our team is patient with children. We have the skills and understanding to treat a child’s eyes and keep them comfortable during the process. During the first consultation, one of our professionals will be able to determine the best treatment option for your child’s vision.