Most parents are used to taking their children to the pediatrician and the dentist for regularly scheduled checkups. However, many parents don’t realize that their children should also have regular eye exams, even if the child doesn’t wear glasses. Why? Eye problems are very common in children. It is estimated that 1 in 4 children has a vision-related condition. Left untreated, these conditions can have a serious effects on a child’s learning, development, athletic performance and overall health.
Call Centre Eye Physicians today to schedule your child's appointment, and make regular pediatric eye exams part of your child's primary care routine.
Q&A for Parents
When should your child be seen by an ophthalmologist?
If it appears that your child's eyes are not straight; if they fail an eye exam in the pediatrician's or family practice doctor's office; or if you are suspicious that they aren't seeing properly then an eye exam should be scheduled.
Would my child benefit from Visual Motor Training?
Many children have problems in learning to read and other school activities. Some educators and some optometrists believe that learning difficulties are related to eye problems. Except for very rare cases, this isn't true. Unless a child has a severe visual loss, the eyes are not the cause of learning problems. Visual motor training is a system of glasses and "eye exercises" to remedy learning difficulties in children. There has been no scientific evidence to prove that this has any value, and in fact it can be harmful, since it takes the parents' and educators' attention away from working on the educational problem with the child. It is usually very expensive, and can cost thousands of dollars.
When should a child be wearing glasses?
In some cases of crossed eyes; for significant degrees farsightedness; nearsightedness; and astigmatism glasses are indicated. The vast majority of children do not need glasses. Small amounts of correction rarely benefit the child.
Are my child's headaches an indication that glasses are needed?
It is highly unusual for children to get headaches because of a need for glasses. If a child gets headaches after reading, ask her if she gets headaches after playing computer games. It takes the same focusing to do both but almost never do they get headaches after computer games.
Do children need bifocals?
Except in rare cases of crossed eyes, children do not need bifocals.
How serious is pink eye?
Pink eye is usually caused by the same viruses that give children sore throats and colds. Except in rare cases, it is as serious as a cold and no more contagious.
When can my child wear contact lenses?
They can wear contacts when they are old enough to take proper care of the lenses, which is usually in the early teen years but in some cases as young as 10. Never ever let your child sleep in the contact lenses. If the child gets a red eye while wearing contacts, stop the use of the contact lenses and contact your ophthalmologist right away.
If it appears that your child's eyes are not straight; if they fail an eye exam in the pediatrician's or family practice doctor's office; or if you are suspicious that they aren't seeing properly then an eye exam should be scheduled.
Would my child benefit from Visual Motor Training?
Many children have problems in learning to read and other school activities. Some educators and some optometrists believe that learning difficulties are related to eye problems. Except for very rare cases, this isn't true. Unless a child has a severe visual loss, the eyes are not the cause of learning problems. Visual motor training is a system of glasses and "eye exercises" to remedy learning difficulties in children. There has been no scientific evidence to prove that this has any value, and in fact it can be harmful, since it takes the parents' and educators' attention away from working on the educational problem with the child. It is usually very expensive, and can cost thousands of dollars.
When should a child be wearing glasses?
In some cases of crossed eyes; for significant degrees farsightedness; nearsightedness; and astigmatism glasses are indicated. The vast majority of children do not need glasses. Small amounts of correction rarely benefit the child.
Are my child's headaches an indication that glasses are needed?
It is highly unusual for children to get headaches because of a need for glasses. If a child gets headaches after reading, ask her if she gets headaches after playing computer games. It takes the same focusing to do both but almost never do they get headaches after computer games.
Do children need bifocals?
Except in rare cases of crossed eyes, children do not need bifocals.
How serious is pink eye?
Pink eye is usually caused by the same viruses that give children sore throats and colds. Except in rare cases, it is as serious as a cold and no more contagious.
When can my child wear contact lenses?
They can wear contacts when they are old enough to take proper care of the lenses, which is usually in the early teen years but in some cases as young as 10. Never ever let your child sleep in the contact lenses. If the child gets a red eye while wearing contacts, stop the use of the contact lenses and contact your ophthalmologist right away.
