The Importance of Regular Eye Exams for K-12 Children
Vision contributes to one’s quality of life; good vision helps with a multitude of aspects ranging from job productivity to the overall ability to learn and communicate with others. Eye and visual exams are needed throughout one’s lifespan, and it is especially crucial to have regular eye exams during childhood. Eye conditions that develop during childhood can create visual impairment for the rest of one’s life, compromising overall well-being and increasing risk for further injury.
Eye examination in children and young adults is important in order to detect eye disorders and eye diseases at an early stage. Visual impairment can have a negative impact on school performance and general day-to-day tasks. With regular eye examinations, eye problems can be diagnosed and treated, avoiding life-long visual impairment. (1)
Vision disorders are a huge problem: they are the fourth most common type of disability in the United States. Eye problems are actually the most frequent handicapping condition in youth. In preschool children, there are already many cases of eye problems. For example, 3-4% percent have strabismus and 15-20% already show signs of refractive error. Vision disorders are a real and legitimate concern in young children.(2)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that vision screening be performed at the earliest age possible and at regular intervals of time. Many eye problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can be easily corrected with glasses prescribed by an eye doctor. More advanced eye problems necessitate diagnosis and treatment by an eye doctor.(3)
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Footnotes
(1) American Academy of Pediatrics. “Eye Examination in Infants, Children, and Young Adults by Pediatricians.” Pediatrics 4 April 2003:902-907.
(2) Schmidt P, Maguire M, Dobson V, Quinn G, Ciner E, Cyert L, Kulp MT, Moore B, Orel-Bixler D, Redford M, Ying GS; Vision in Preschoolers Study Group. Comparison of preschool vision screening tests as administered by licensed eye care professionals in the Vision In Preschoolers Study. Ophthalmology April2004:637-50.
(3) American Academy of Pediatrics. “Vision Screening and Eye Examination in Children.” Pediatrics 6 June 1976:918-919.