Pediatric Eye Examination
Clear vision and healthy eyes are important to a child's overall health and well-being, and are directly linked to academic performance. While vision screenings given at a child's school each year may identify children who are at risk for vision problems, vision screenings do not test the overall health of the eyes. A professional eye examination, performed by a certified ophthalmologist, assesses vision, while looking for serious conditions and diseases.
Common Pediatric Eye Conditions
In addition to detecting more routine vision problems, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (abnormal curvature of the cornea), comprehensive eye examinations check for the following common childhood conditions:
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
These conditions are often present at birth as a result of genetic factors, and should be treated early to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment can include glasses to improve focus; eye exercises to correct improper vision habits; eye patches for amblyopia; and eye drops for dryness, inflammation or infection.
The Pediatric Eye Examination
A comprehensive eye examination is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of poor vision, injuries and diseases. Early detection allows treatment to begin before the child has difficulty in school, and before possible permanent damage occurs.
Children's eye examinations usually include tests for the following:
- Visual acuity
- Eye tracking
- Binocular coordination
- Focusing skills
- Dyslexia
- Color blindness
- Peripheral awareness
- Hand-eye coordination
Depending on the child's age and reading ability, various diagnostic charts and tests are employed by the ophthalmologist.
Diagnostic Tests Used in Pediatric Eye Examination
A child's vision may be assessed using the traditional eye charts for near and distant vision, or with special charts that use pictures instead of letters. Other tests that may be administered include the following:
- Visual-field test
- Dilation
- Slit-lamp examination
- Cover test
- Retinoscopy
- Refraction
Each test is designed to test either visual acuity or the health of various parts of the eye. Using these tests, the ophthalmologist is able to assess whether corrective lenses are necessary to improve vision, or whether there is any eye disease or underlying condition that requires treatment.
After a Pediatric Eye Examination
After the eye examination, most children do not require any further treatment. For those for whom a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be developed that may include:
- Prescription eyeglasses
- Recommendation that sunglasses be worn
- Medication for inflammation or infection
- Wearing a patch on the more functional eye (for amblyopia)
- Vision therapy for weak eye muscles
- Surgical repair (rarely)
Eye examinations are important because they can detect underlying conditions that the child and parents may not be aware of, catching the problems at an early stage so they can be effectively treated before any damage to vision occurs. Such examinations can also test for dyslexia and other disabilities that may affect the child's ability to learn and perform well in school. Children with dyslexia have trouble visually processing letters and must work harder than other children to read. Such children usually require some early intervention so they do not fall behind their peers.
Ophthalmologists usually recommend that children wear sunglasses with UV protection when exposed to sunlight. This will help to keep their eyes from developing certain eye diseases, including cataracts and macular degeneration, later in life. Such eye protection also prevents photokeratitis (snow blindness); skin cancer on the eyelids; and pterygium, noncancerous growths in the eye that can block vision, requiring removal.
Although all children's eyes are screened shortly after birth, parents should make sure that their children have regular eye checkups to ensure ongoing eye health and proper vision.