Infant, Toddler & Preschool Vision Testing - Part 2

Children typically do not receive a comprehensive vision exam before entering school.  The brief pediatrician exam does NOT count.  It is estimated (Indiana University) that only 14% of children under age 6 are likely to have a comprehensive vision exam and only 31% of kids between 6 and 16 are likely to have an exam.

A recent retrospective study of comprehensive pediatric eye examinations reported the following as the most common disorders in children between 6 months and 18 years:

• Farsightedness (hyperopia - eyestrain at near): 24.8%
• Astigmatism (eyestrain at distance & near):  22.5%
• Nearsightedness (myopia - distance blur):  18.2%
• Subtle binocular disorders (ie: convergence insufficiency):  14.3%
• Overt binocular disorders (ie: strabismus - crossed eye):  12.1%
• Lazy eye (amblyopia - reduced sight in one eye):  7.1%

Photoscreening a young patient

Due to these problems it is imperative that children have a comprehensive vision exam.  These exams are often much different than those for adults.  Technology has enabled exams to occur with all ages.  Photoscreening is done in our office to provide objective results by the use of digital ocular images.  It is supported by recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Preferential looking utilizes automatic brain reflexes in looking at closely spaced lined targets versus blank screens.  The brain will always look at targets if they can be seen.  Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) testing gives information about how well a moving target is seen.  Differences between the eyes can also be indicative of strabismus.

--James B. Mayer, OD, FCOVD

     Agape Learning & Optometry Center

     Thousand Oaks, CA

Infant, Toddler & Preschool Vision Testing

Everyone knows the earlier a problem can be identified the more successful will be the outcome.  That is why dental and medical exams are required before going to school.  Despite this understanding, the visual system is often forgotten.  It is the most important system for learning (most researchers indicate 75-80% of learning occurs via the visual system), yet most children do not have a formal visual examination until they are school age.  Due to this lack of care, children often adapt to the level of vision they have.  Parents often never suspect a problem, even a serious one.

Obvious problems such as strabismus (crossed or wall eye) are usually identified by your pediatrician.   However there are too many cases of lazy eye that are NOT detected by pediatrcian screenings.  Many of these problems also are not identified with school screenings.  This results in parents feeling secure that all is fine from a visual perspective.  NOT TRUE!!  The reality is approximately one child in every classroom suffers from lazy eye and associated learning difficulties such a problems with reading comprehension.

InfantSEE® can be the answer for a number of these kids.  This is a national program administered by the American Optometric Association.  It was originally started in partnership with Jimmy Carter.  A one-time, comprehensive eye assessment is provided to infants in their first year of life at no cost regardless of income.  Click on InfantSEE® for further information.  Call us to schedule an exam for your baby.

--James B. Mayer, OD, FCOVD

     Agape Learning & Optometry Center

     Thousand Oaks, CA 

Dry, Scratchy Eyes

We have all felt the occasional dry eye - a gritty and/or sandy feeling.  A burning or sticky feeling is common, as are watery eyes.  Some folks experience these symptoms on a daily basis.  This can be a big problem for them.  It can also result in vision changes that can be devastating because of corneal inflammation and infection.  That is why it is very important to let me know if you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis.

Dr. John Warren has put together a very nice slide show on this topic.  Click on the link to watch and learn about dry eye.

--James B. Mayer, OD, FCOVD
     Agape Learning & Optometry Center
     Thousand Oaks, CA