Pediatric eye health - ophthalmologist explains why early screening is important for kids

An ophthalmologist shares why early eye screening is key to protecting your child's vision and detecting problems before they worsen.(Image: Pexels)

Clear vision lets children confidently engage in all kinds of activities – whether playing sports, interacting with friends and family, speaking up in class or getting everyday tasks done at home. A new born’s vision is not yet mature at birth; the visual system becomes more and more capable as time goes on and by about 2nd year of age it is fully developed.

In that case, the early eye examinations are extremely important to uncover vision problems and other health issues early. Early identification is the key to good brain health, cognitive development and good health in general.”

Regular eye and vision examinations pick up common vision problems such as refractive errors - namely myopia (short-sightedness) and hypermetropia (long-sightedness) – plus astigmatism, amblyopia ('lazy eye') and strabismus ('squint'). These problems can have a dramatic effect on a child's vision and well-being, if not detected and treated.

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“With early detection and correction, visual health in children is maintained and the child’s confidence is boosted, learning enhanced and quality of life improved,” explains Jaee Kelkar, Ophthalmologist & Director at NIO Super Specialty Hospital.

Why pediatric eye exams are essential:

Vision is fundamental to learning and most classroom activities are visual in nature. Undiagnosed visual problems can contribute to challenges with reading, writing, and overall academic performance. Children are often unaware that they consider their vision to be "normal" or even "good." Hence the need for timely and regular eye exams which can be particularly useful in identifying eye conditions before they become serious, potentially irreversible issues.

In some instances, eye exams can identify rare but serious conditions such as congenital cataracts or glaucoma that can lead to severe sight impairments if left untreated.

Recommendations for eye checks based on age: 

Newborn

• is born prematurely

• shows signs of eye disease

• has a family history of childhood eye disease

A comprehensive exam by an ophthalmologist is appropriate.

Preschool 

A preschool child should have their eyes screened for alignment and movement, and assessed for presence of significant refractive errors.

A child between ages 3 and 5 should see an ophthalmologist if the screening indicates:

• Crossed eye (strabismus)

• Lazy eye (amblyopia)

• Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism)

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Early assessment and treatment are the most valuable things a parent may do in order to protect their child's visual ability.

5 years and older

Children should be assessed for visual acuity and alignment at age 5. The most common issue in this age group is nearsightedness (myopia), which is corrected with glasses. If you see that your child has crossed eyes or if you notice indications of any other eye issues, take the child to see an ophthalmologist.

Symptoms

Children often do not complain about reduced vision. Parents should be monitoring for any delays in visual development and should bring it to the attention of the doctor if they notice if their child:

• Rubs their eyes or blinks frequently

• Has difficulty keeping eye contact

• Takes a long time to shift their gaze from one object to another

Parents should also report if their child did not pass a vision examination performed by their school or pediatrician.

FAQs about eye exam: 

Q: When should a child have their first eye exam?

A: A child should have their first comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist if they are born prematurely, show signs of eye disease, or have a family history of childhood eye disease. Otherwise, regular screenings should begin in preschool.

Q: What are common signs of vision problems in children?

A: Common signs include frequent eye rubbing, difficulty maintaining eye contact, and taking a long time to shift gaze from one object to another. If you notice these symptoms, consult an ophthalmologist.

Q: How often should children have their eyes checked?

A: Regular eye exams should start in preschool and continue annually or as recommended by an ophthalmologist, especially if there are signs of vision issues.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.