How do I keep my child’s eyes healthy?

I recently went through the traumatic experience of having two retinal tears in my right eye that required outpatient laser surgery to keep the retina from getting worse and detaching (which can lead to blindness). The health of my eyes has been an issue since first grade, when I got my first pair of glasses. Being so near-sighted, I was tagged as high risk for retinal problems. I never expected to face this issue in my early 30's, but I am truly grateful to have been getting routine eye exams by a fabulous doctor who caught the problem early on.

This experience got me thinking...how many parents are focusing on their children's eye health?

According to http://www.preventblindness.org/, vision problems affect one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-age children. It is very important that parents know how to recognize eye problems and make sure their children receive proper eye care. Untreated eye problems can get worse over time, potentially leading to more serious medical problems and even affecting learning and personality.

Signs There Could Be a Problem

Here are some possible signs that it is time to call the doctor. Visit http://www.preventblindness.org/ and http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/vision.html for a more complete list.

• Eyes appear crossed or do not line up
• Eyes are watery or red
• Extreme light sensitivity
• Rubbing eyes often
• Squinting
• Closing or covering one eye
• Complains about not being able to see or that things appear blurry or double

Eye Exams

Below are some general guidelines about eye screening by age. Be sure to ask your pediatrician about these tests during your visit.

• Year 1: Infants should be screened for eye health during regular checkups with their pediatrician.
• 3-4: Eye health screenings and visual acuity tests (that measure sharpness of vision) by pediatrician.
• 5: Vision and eye alignment should be evaluated by pediatrician. Those who fail either test should be referred to an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist depending on the issue).
• After 5: Further routine screenings should be done at school or the doctor's office, or after a problem is identified. Children who wear corrective lenses should have annual checkups to screen for any changes in vision.