Keeping our children's vision healthy

Teachers, doctors, and parents are part of an early warning system for detecting children’s vision problems.

Know when your child needs an eye exam

Signs that it’s time to schedule a complete eye exam

• A note comes home from school saying your child is having trouble reading what’s on the board.
• Your family doctor suspects vision correction may be needed.
• You observe your child squinting or straining to see something at a distance or close up.

Many adults who wear glasses or contact lenses point to grade school as the time when glasses were first prescribed.

If glasses or contact lenses are new to your child, you can help with the transition.

Needing vision correction is normal

Wearing glasses should never be a cause for teasing. For someone to be able to negotiate their world visually, glasses are just another piece of equipment, like running shoes are for a track athlete.

Plenty of options for eyeglasses are available

With so many styles available, children and their parents are usually able to find styles that fit the child’s personality and the family’s budget. Make the selection of glasses a fun experience, and let your child have a good deal of say in which glasses are selected.

Decide if contacts are a good option

Contact lenses may be a good choice for children if they and their parents are motivated. Remember that proper lens care and cleaning require a good deal of responsibility. Your eye doctor will be able to guide you in contact lens choices that fit your child’s vision needs.

Remember to get frequent vision check-ups

Vision correction needs can change periodically, especially for children. Your eye doctor will recommend how frequently your child will need to be seen to be sure that vision is kept at optimum levels.

Wearing glasses or contacts isn’t for everyone

Adults 18 and older may be candidates for a surgical option that corrects vision. Consult with your eye doctor on whether this is an option to fit your prescription and lifestyle. You will be referred to a specialist who performs refractive surgeries. The surgeon creates a detailed map of the patients’ eye surfaces and uses a computer-controlled laser to precisely adjust the surfaces so that vision is corrected, usually to 20/20 or better.