Eyes to See

Many children have eyes that look great even though they don't see as well as they should. A child may have dim, distorted, blurred vision, or may see with only one eye. But because the child doesn't have anything to compare it to and assumes everyone sees the world the same way, they will not complain. Therefore, parents must use their own eyes to be alert for signs of eye trouble in their children.

Early detection of vision problems is important because the chances for correction are better the earlier the problem is discovered. If left undetected, some problems may lead to permanent disability.

• Trying to brush away blurs
• Squinting
• Frequent blinking
• Sensitivity to light
• Inflamed or watery eyes
• Stumbling or falling over objects
• Frequent rubbing of eyes
• Red, encrusted or swollen eyelids

Two conditions which are easy for parents to detect are crossed eyes and an eye that continues to wander after the age of six months. Children will not outgrow crossed eyes, but the problem can be corrected by eye glasses, eye exercises, patching, medication or surgery. All treatments must be prescribed and monitored by an eye specialist.

Ideally, all children should have thorough, periodic eye examinations beginning at the age of three. This is not always possible, so local health departments and schools, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Public Health, provide vision screening programs aimed at finding children with vision problems. These programs enlist the cooperation of health officials, nurses, eye doctors, technicians, volunteers and service clubs, all of which work together in a coordinated effort.

Preschool vision screening programs have proved valuable in the early detection of vision problems while screening programs in schools find older children with eye troubles. As important as these tests are, only a complete eye examination conducted by an eye specialist can determine the extent of difficulty and prescribe treatment.

If a child fails a vision screening test, parents are notified and urged to take their child to an eye doctor. The cooperation of parents at this point is important so that the child receives an examination and is provided treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Parents know how quickly children grow. Their eyes, like their other organs, also undergo change. Although they may have perfect vision one year, they may need glasses or other corrective measures the next. Therefore, periodic vision screening tests are essential to the eye health of children.

Accidents rob many children of precious sight. Pointed sticks, bows and arrows, slingshots, air rifles, darts, fireworks, and poorly constructed toys with sharp edges are common causes of eye injuries. Children should be taught to play safely, and parents should have knowledge of first aid in case an accident does occur.

For more information, contact the Michigan Eye Health Resource Center at the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired.