Did you know that 25% of school-aged children are affected by vision problems? Additionally, 5% of preschoolers have vision problems that may lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated!
Seeing the blackboard is just the beginning
Children and teens also need to be able to see everything else! As they learn and grow, it’s important to protect their vision. As a parent, you may find it even more important when you consider the statistics…
Does your child have an apparent eye problem? Is a history of eye problems in your family? Please call us at 410-939-6477.
Vision screenings are NOT true eye exams
Infants are usually screened for common eye problems during their regular pediatric appointments. Plus, schools, daycare centers, and other organizations often perform vision screenings.
But these screenings are only used to identify children at risk for vision problems and DO NOT replace a comprehensive eye examination performed by an eye doctor.
Professional eye exams identify actual eye conditions and determine correct treatments. Eye exams for your child should start around age three and continue every two years.
Conditions we look for and treat:
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
- Color deficiency (color blindness)
- Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism).
Regular eye care is vital, even when your child shows no signs of eye trouble.
Please call us at 410-939-6477 if you have any concerns—we’re here to help your family see better.
More about childhood eye conditions
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a loss of vision in an eye that is not corrected by glasses alone. Crossed eyes, eyes that don’t line up, or one eye that focuses better than the other can cause amblyopia.
Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
Strabismus is a word for eyes that are not straight or do not line up with each other. If the problem is not treated, it can cause amblyopia.
Color Deficiency (Color Blindness)
Children with color blindness are not really blind to color. Instead, they have trouble identifying some colors.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
In myopia, the eyeball is too long for the normal focusing power of the eye. As a result, images of distant objects appear blurred.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
In this condition, the eyeball is too short for the normal focusing power of the eye. In children, the lens in the eye accommodates for this error and provides clear vision for distance and usually near viewing, but with considerable effort that often causes fatigue and sometimes crossed eyes (strabismus).
Astigmatism
Astigmatism results primarily from an irregular shape of the front surface of the cornea, the transparent “window” at the front of the eye. Persons with astigmatism typically see vertical lines more clearly than horizontal ones, and sometimes the reverse.