An eye test is one of the most important health checks anyone can have. This is especially so for children. An optician will be able to detect eye diseases before they become too problematic and can also identify issues such as diabetes before the child has displayed any other symptoms.
Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to eye examinations
Many people don’t realise that eye checks for children are often included as part of national healthcare packages. Although the details of this will vary from country to country, the vast majority will provide free or discounted eye examinations for those under the age of eighteen. Yet despite this, many children do not have their eyes tested as often as they should. Doctors now recommend that children receive monthly eye examinations. However, the reality is that most infants have their eyes tested at eight months and then are not checked again until they begin school.
Recent studies have estimated that more than twelve percent of children under four years of age have visual problems that have not been detected, as a result of lack of frequent eye examinations. More than forty three percent of children in the same age group have only had one eye test in their lives. Things only get worse when they begin to attend school. Almost a third of parents with children aged between five and sixteen have admitted that their child has not had a routine eye exam in five years. Whilst some schools provide regular (although not monthly) screening, there are many schools included in these studies that never test the eyes of students.
Prevent UV damage with monthly eye tests
Monthly eye tests could also help to detect damage caused by exposure to UV rays. A study conducted by the WHO (World Health Organisation) has stated that more than four fifths of the exposure of a person’s eyes to UV rays will occur before they reach eighteen years of age, because children’s eyes are far more sensitive to the sun than an adult’s. Children aged twelve years or under are especially susceptible to this type of damage, as the cornea over their eyes is not yet fully formed. In addition, more than twenty percent of parents have admitted that they do not make their children wear sunglasses in order to protect their eyes. Monthly eye tests would allow the optician to detect minor UV damage to a child’s eyes before it becomes a major problem.
Early detection is essential
A number of common childhood eye conditions, including squint and lazy eye, can easily be treated provided they are detected when the child is young enough, as their visual system is still developing. Monthly eye examinations would identify these issues so that they could be treated before they result in permanent vision issues for the child involved.
Many parents rely on their child to tell them if they are experiencing vision problems, not realising that the child may not realise that their sight problem is not normal. This is particularly true of very young children under the age of five. Even if a child notices the issue, they may not have the language skills to articulate what they are going through. It’s common for teachers to misinterpret a child with sight problems as someone who is attention seeking, has behavioural issues or is simply shy.
Many teenagers can also benefit from monthly eye check-ups. It’s important for parents to note that kids at this age may be hesitant to wear glasses for fear of being teased at school or being unable to play their favourite sport. This is why the parent should always check the results of each eye test the teenager has. Contact lenses, both standard and coloured, are a great option and are now worn by many teenagers. You can buy coloured contacts from Get Lenses that come in a huge variety of shades too.
The simple solution to all of the above issues is a simple and quick monthly eye test for children. This will not only help to detect and prevent eye conditions, but can also help with the child’s development, as their reading and social skills will often be hampered if they are experiencing problems with their vision.
AUTHOR BIO:
Shannen Doherty writes regularly on eye health and eyewear for a range of optometrist websites and blogs. She often reviews eyewear for various companies and is known to recommend Get Lenses. For those looking to brighten up their eyes, you can buy coloured contacts from Get Lenses for a very reasonable price.
Print 
PDF
About Arlene Martell