Child Eye Care
Young children with vision problems don't know that things they look at are actually different from the way they see it. Vision accounts for 80% of all learning in a child's first 12 years. One in six children between the ages of 5 to 12 years has vision problems that can affect reading and learning ability.
Vision problems are treated more succesfully during the growth and development of a child's visual system. By the time a child reaches school age, the visual system is well developed. A delayed eye examination at this point in a childs growth could spell trouble.
Remember The "Big E" Eye Chart?
Although it is still used in school vision screenings, it generally misses 70 to 80 percent of a child's vision problems. It can tell you if a child can see the chalkboard, but not whether the child has vision problems while reading a book.
Where Eye Care Begins
A child's eyes are examined at birth for signs of congenital eye problems. Although eye problems at birth are relatively rare, this is important since early diagnosis can often make treatment more effective.
A childs first eye examination should take place no later than the age of three (a visual examination can be performed on a child who is too young to read or respond verbally). After the initial examination, an annual examination is important throughout their school years.
 
What To Watch For
Both parents and teachers can recognize possible vision problems by paying attention to the following signs:
  • Squinting, closing or covering one eye; excessive blinking or rubbing of the eyes
  • Dislike and/or avoidance of close work; short attention span; frequent daydreaming
  • Placing the head close to a book when reading; losing place while reading
  • Complaints of headaches, nausea and dizziness; excessive clumsiness
  • Turning or tilting the head to one side.
Child Eye Care Tips For Parents
The following are a number of helpful tips for parents provided by the Ontario Association of Optometrists for a childs first 3 years:
 
BIRTH TO FOUR MONTHS
  • Change the position of the crib frequently and also your infant's position in the crib. This allows the child to respond to light from different directions.
  • Hang a mobile outside and above the crib to provide variety and movement.
  • Keep reach-and-touch objects within baby's focus, about eight to twelve inches. Objects should be large enough to prevent your baby from swallowing them.
  • Talk to your baby as you walk around the room. This gives the child a target to follow and helps him or her associate hearing and seeing.
  • Alternately hold you baby in your left and right arms during feeding.
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS
  • Allow your baby to explore many different textures and shapes with his or her fingers.
  • Hang various objects across the crib to foster eye, hand and foot coordination.
  • Hand your baby a small object to grasp. This also helps develop hand-eye coordination.
SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS
  • Allow your child freedom to crawl and explore.
  • Play games like "peek-a-boo" and "patty-cake".
  • Provide toys, stuffed animals and other objects that have texture and detail.
  • Have older children play in the same room. Your baby will imitate them within the limits of his or her own development.
EIGHT TO TWELVE MONTHS
  • Provide a variety of objects that your baby can touch, hold and see at the same time.
  • Name objects when talking to your baby to assist in vocabulary development.
  • Do not make the mistake of encouraging him or her to walk too soon. Crawling is important in helping your child learn to coordinate the use of arms, legs and eyes.
  • Watch for any crossing or turning of the eyes at this age and throughout childhood. This warrants immediate professional attention.
ONE TO TWO YEARS
  • Encourage playing with small objects like building blocks and simple puzzles. This will help improve coordination of fine motor skills and small muscle development. It will also help your child begin to visualize "what goes where".
  • Play guessing games which will help your child develop thinking and speaking skills.
  • Provide your child with opportunities to climb and explore both indoors and out. As mobility increases, riding a rocking horse and a tricycle will help increase coordination of the eyes, hands and feet.
TWO TO THREE YEARS
  • Read or tell your child stories. This will help improve visualization skills and prepare for learning to read.
  • Encourage your child to draw, paint and colour. This will allow him or her to learn about boundaries and develop visually-directed hand movements.