Detecting vision problems early could save your child's sight.  Do you know what to look for?

It's no secret that healthy eyes and crisp, clear vision enhance children's developmental, emotional, and physical well being.  But would you know if your child had a problem with her sight?  Unfortunately, children often accept their vision problems as normal because they simply don't know better.  Since they don't complain, many conditions go unnoticed.  This is certainly not unusual.  In a recent article appearing Review of Optometry, Eric Borsting, OD and Carmen Barnhardt, OD wrote "Children under the age of six are not receiving adequate eye care." 

Early diagnosis is critical because a child's visual development reaches maturity between the ages of 9-11.  Catching problems within the narrow window of birth to pre-adolescence can mean the difference between normal vision and a permanently "lazy" eye.  If your child is unable to communicate a problem that is not detected during the visual development stage, it is likely that his vision will never be correctable to "normal" levels.  That's because a child's brain has the amazing ability to adapt, and very quickly learns to block off or suppress an "abnormal" image.  For example, if a child sees double, his brain adjusts by suppressing the vision of the turned eye in order to maintain a single image.  This problem is called amblyopia (uncorrectable vision loss in a seemingly normal eye) and can occur for a variety of reasons. 

Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can usually reverse the problem and yield excellent outcomes.  This is the primary reason that regular eye exams are so critical in children.  In some cases it is appropriate as early as 6 months.  Infant exams are especially important if immediate family members have conditions such as a crossed or "lazy" eye, glaucoma, blindness or require a very strong glasses prescription.  Children from families with known eye problems are more at risk - they should have their first eye exam at the age of three. 

Even if nobody in the family has a history of eye problems, parents should still be on the lookout.  Here are some common signs to watch for:

1. Eye alignment.  When your child makes eye contact with you, are her eyes straight and aligned or does she appear to have an eye turn?  Even a slight eye turn (sometimes nearly undetectable) could result in mild to moderate amblyopia if untreated for too long.

2. Winking.  Does your child close one eye when watching television or reading?  This may be due to a double or blurred image. 

3. Rubbing, blinking, squeezing.  These behaviors are all common in children who have difficulty focusing. 

4. Watery, crusty, red-rimmed eyes.  This may be a sign of an ocular allergy or even infection.  If your child is allergy-prone, it's very possible that his eyes will be affected too.  Your doctor may prescribe allergy drops to control the itching and irritation.

5. Pupil color.  If the pupils appear white in color, see your eye doctor.  This may be a sign of congenital cataracts, and in some cases a tumorous growth.

6. Unusual behavior.  Sometimes kids with vision problems are misunderstood.  Children who can't see properly are often simply frustrated and may be classified as hyperactive, slow learners, unmotivated or even diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.  It would be difficult for anyone to pay attention if it meant straining to see clearly. 

7. Complaints of headaches.  There are many causes of headaches, but they are sometimes the result of eyestrain.  Struggling to hold print in focus or to see a chalkboard clearly are often culprits in kids.  Try to find out when your child is experiencing the headaches.  What activities cause them?  How long do they last?  What gives relief? These are all important clues for your doctor. 

Detecting vision problems early can mean the difference between clear, equal vision in both eyes and a permanently dysfunctional eye.  Recognizing problems in kids can be tricky because they're so adaptable and good at covering the problem.  Watch your child for clues and remember - eye care isn't just for adults.