August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month!

Healthy vision is crucial as a child's eyes and brain develop over time. Conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) can impair vision if not treated early.

Amblyopia is the most common vision problem in children and can lead to vision impairment or blindness if left untreated.

When to Get an Eye Exam

• Newborn: Schedule an eye exam between three to five days after birth to check for genetic or developmental abnormalities. The exam should assess pupil size, eye appearance, movement, and red reflex.

• Infant: An exam during infancy monitors development, focusing on light response, target tracking, and eye alignment.

• Preschooler: At around age three, your child should have an eye exam that includes tests for visual acuity and color blindness, using methods like the “tumbling E” chart.

• School Age: By this age, evaluate for near- and farsightedness. If no vision correction is needed, exams should occur every two years.

Some common childhood eye problems that can be detected include:

Nearsightedness

Farsightedness

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes)

Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)

Color deficiency

Watch for signs of vision problems, such as head tilting, squinting, frequent eye rubbing, holding books too close, light sensitivity, using a finger while reading, eye discomfort with screens, or excessive blinking.