It is estimated that 5% -10% of pre-school children and 25% of school going children have vision problems. The majority of young children will have a refractive correction i.e. a prescription. However, this does not mean they necessarily need glasses. The power of the eye changes quite rapidly in childhood and a level of hyperopia (long sightedness) is quite normal in young children. Often this "normalises" naturally as the child approaches school going age.

 

 

 Infants: A paediatrician will usually perform a gross visual check on your child soon after birth to rule out serious eye conditions. Vision will again be checked at any follow up developmental appointments - usually at 6 months and again at 1 year. Any abnormality noted at this point will be referred on to a specialist, usually an ophthalmologist.

 

Pre-school and school-going children:

Even children who cannot read are able to have a visual assessment. Symbols and shapes may be used at both distance and near positions to check how well they can see. The more "fun" the tests appear to be the easier it is for the child to participate and co-operate.

 

 Some of the following tests may be used by an optometrist to examine your child's vision:

 

·        Retinoscopy: Shining a bright light into the eye to estimate any prescription that may exist.

·        Picture Matching / Identification: Use of picture cards to gauge how well the child can see.

 

 

 

 

 

·        Fixation checks: The optometrist will examine how the eyes work together when looking at objects at long and close distances. Also the child's ability to follow moving targets will be checked.

·        Stereopsis: Children usually enjoy this test which examines how the eyes work together. It is a very important test and the fun targets help to keep children interested.

·        Ophthalmoscopy: An instrument called an ophthalmoscope allows a clear view of the inside of the child's eye to check that it is healthy.

·        Cover Test: Another important test is the cover test which looks at deviations and co-ordination of the eyes. This is very important as it can detect "turns" in the eye. A "turn" can lead to poor development of vision in one eye that is not reversible in later life.

·        Colour Vision - this should be checked when a child is old enough to recognise numbers

 

Often an optometrist will put drops into your child's eye. This helps them to get the most accurate prescription.

 

 

At each of the following stages.

Infancy : Paediatrician visual assessment

Pre-School (3 years of age): Especially if you have concerns about your child's vision

Early School Going (3-6years of age).

At two year intervals from here on unless advised to do so more often.

 

School screening versus full eye examination:

A school vision screening is just that, a screening test. The aim is to identify children with significant visual issues so that they can be referred on for further investigation. It is a basic vision assessment. A full eye examination investigates what prescription exists if any, examines the health of the eye and binocular function.

 

·        Headaches

·        Turned eye

·        Blurry vision

·        Squinting or head tilting

·        Poor hand-eye co-ordination

·        Sitting very close to the TV

·        Holding books etc very close

·        Closing one eye to focus on near of distant objects

·        Poor performance in school (copying friends work etc.)