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Good Vision = A Better Chance at Success
Undetected and undiagnosed vision problems in children can lead to
learning difficulties, delayed development, behavior problems, and
permanent vision loss.
Many vision problems begin before children start school. Two percent of
children entering the first grade have a refractive error, such as
farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), or astigmatism. Lazy
eye (amblyopia) and misaligned eyes (strabismus) are two common problems
which, left untreated, can become more difficult to correct. Identifying
these vision problems early can significantly help reduce their long-term
effects. Early recognition of disease results in more effective treatment
that can be sight saving or even life saving.
Some signs and symptoms of vision problems in children include:
- Eyes that are crossed, turning in, out, or moving independently of each
other
- Red, watery, or itchy eyes
- Squinting, closing or covering one eye when reading or writing
- Holding reading material close to the face
- Losing his/her place when reading
- Poor eye-hand coordination
- Blurring of vision at near or distant objects
- Headaches, nausea and dizziness
To read an article in the Miami Lighthouse Lantern
about signs of vision problems in children, click here:
Lantern Winter 2008 Extra
Vision is an essential part of everyday life and it
affects development, learning, communication, work, health, and quality of
life. Every effort must be made to ensure that before children reach age
5, they receive a screening or comprehensive eye exam from their health
care provider. For more information about preschool children’s eye
examinations, please call the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision
Program at 305-856-9830.
Links:
American Optometric Association:
www.aoanet.org
Healthy People 1020:
www.healthyvision2010.org
National Eye Institute:
www.nei.nih.gov
Vision Council of America:
www.checkyearly.com
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