Children’s Vision Awareness Month
It can be difficult to tell if a young child is struggling with their vision. Since children are still learning about the world around them, they may believe that everybody sees things the same way they do and therefore not report problems they are experiencing. A child’s ability to see correctly impacts multiple areas of development, including physical, cognitive, and social development.
Routine eye exams starting at 6-12 months of age can help identify and correct vision disorders early on. Still, only 1 in 3 children received an eye exam before entering school. Unfortunately, uncorrected vision disorders in early childhood can “impair child development, interfere with learning, reduce quality of life, and even lead to permanent vision loss” (Source).
There are things parents can do to encourage and maintain healthy eyes including:
- Schedule regular eye exams.
- Introduce colorful and high-contrast toys to promote visual engagement.
- Play interactive games like patty cake or catch to encourage hand/eye coordination.
- Wear proper eyewear including sunglasses and hats when outside.
- Monitor screen time.
- Eat an eye-healthy diet that includes foods high in nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Monitor their child(ren) for any of the behavioral signs below that could signify a vision disorder.
- Poor hand/eye coordination
- Short attention span
- Difficulty reading – losing their place or inconsistent pace
- Avoidance of reading or other close activities
- Child turns or tilts their head to the side to see things better
If parents notice any of the above symptoms in their child(ren), they should contact an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a pediatric eye exam. Parents can get free vision screenings at their local health department. Check out MDHHS’s Vision Screening page for more information.
Resources
For more information on eye health in early childhood, check out the resources below.
- 20 Things to Know About Children’s Eyes and Vision (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
- 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Vision Development: Childhood (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
- Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
- Hidden Signs of Vision Problems in Children (Mayo Clinic)
- 6 Behavioral Signs for Vision Problems in Children (ProMedica Physicians)
- Tips for Helping Your Child Have Healthy Eyes (ABC Children’s Eye Specialists)
- Children’s Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National Issues (National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health)
Photo by Zahra Amiri on Unsplash
– Shared from Southeastern Early Childhood Support Network June Newsletter
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
