This is a question that a lot of parents surely ask themselves, especially those, who suffer from some sort of an eye problem themselves. There are, of course, many different cases. There are those where genetics may play a role in seeking an expert opinion. Those, where the child complaints or has some type of problem and then there are those where the child complains of nothing at all but then again, we may be concerned with prevention based on observing other difficulties. Let’s examine all of these in turn.
The basic eye examination in children forms part of the regular paediatric checks. The first examination takes place immediately after birth while still at the hospital when the new-born is screened and tested for new-born cataract. This check-up is obligatory under the law.
The next eye check-ups are normally lined up at one year, three years and 5-6 years where it is a part of the regular check-ups and the pre-school check-up. Some paediatricians carry out the first eye check-up at the age of 3, others even earlier. The deciding factor often is the parents´ genetics, whether or not you yourself have eye problems or when having observed behaviour in the child that may indicate vision problems.
In case that you, your partner or both of you suffer from vision issues, it is strongly recommended to have your child undergo a complex eye examination at the age of one. Where more serious eye ailments are present in the parents, it is recommended that the child undergoes regular eye screening every six months from the age of six months onwards.
When should you take your child to see a specialist having noticed something unusual? Immediately, of course. Children are usually not the ones to come forward saying that they don´t see well or have blurry vision. They have no ways of knowing. But they could be complaining of other problems that may indicate a problem with vision. Head-ache, frequent rubbing of the eyes or touching the eyes, looking at things from very near, squinting. Observe whether your child does not lean forward or looks through just one eye, does not partially close one or both eyes when examining something or does not sit extremely close to the television. Does he or she appear to be drawing with their nose? That too could indicate a problem. Just as fatigue after drawing or other activities requiring concentration would.
The development of a child´s vision is more or less complete at the age of six to eight years. Eye problems that have not been discovered or were over looked or even neglected up until this age, are often irreparable. The most common eye issues discovered with a timely check-up are either far-sightedness, short-sightedness, astigmatism, amblyopia or strabismus.
When to follow-up on the check-ups? If the child´s vision is alright, it is perfectly sufficient to undergo a regular preventive check-up once every two years, unless changes are noticed. In cases where treatment is necessary, see a specialist every three months to start with, later on, once every six months will suffice and then just once a year ought to be enough. In specific or more complex cases always follow the advice of your ophthalmologist.
And what happens if something is over-looked? There are eye conditions that can be corrected in adulthood. But there are also such, that if not discovered in early childhood, may pose serious issues in adult age. Amblyopia is a good example. This is why it is always better to seek help earlier than later. Prevention is better than cure!
Are you unsure whether it is the right time? Do you have questions that the child is not in a position to answer or is not co-operating? Ask your paediatrician or drop us a line.