Detecting eye problems in children has now become an important part of preventing future debilitating eye conditions. Researchers have determined that more than 80% of learning in the classroom is visual. When a child is unable to see and read properly, their ability to learn and focus in the classroom significantly decreases. Most states have some form of a law or guidelines requiring that children have a visual exam before attending school. These tests are designed to detect any sight problems so that children do not have problems seeing in the classroom and when they are participating in extra curricular activities such as sports.

The visual exam must be completed by an optometrist, physician, or specialized registered nurse. Eye exams include testing for such conditions as overall eye health that includes evaluating the internal and external structures of the eye, misalignment of the eyes caused by a muscle imbalance (strabismus), near sightedness and farsightedness, and the ability to distinguish between objects, colors, letters, and shapes, as well as testing for lazy eye, and more.

Parents are encouraged to note any problems with their child’s eyesight. This can include having troubles making out letters, objects, shapes, and identifying colors.  This can be done by asking them to get you certain items or picking out objects while driving in the car. If parents have questions about their child’s eyes, they are encouraged to talk with educators or healthcare providers about the requirements. Parents can look for a child’s eyes that do not line up properly, eyelids that are crusted or swollen, and eyes that are watery, inflamed, or red. A child who has eye problems may constantly rub the eyes, close or cover one eye, has trouble reading or doing other close-up work,  becomes frustrated when doing homework, holds objects too close to the eyes to see, blinks more than usual, says objects are blurry or difficult to see, and squints the eyes or frowns.

At this time, 45 states do not make it mandatory to require screening of all pre-school children. Currently, 34 states provide vision screening guidelines and 15 states require vision screening of at least some of the preschool-aged children. The Department of Public Health administers the programs in 26 states, and the Department of Education runs the programs in 13 states. Visual acuity is assessed in 30 states, eye alignment in 24 states, refractive error in 8 states, and color vision in 10 states. A combination of screening tests is recommended in 24 states.

The U.S. Preventive Screening Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening to “detect amblyopia, strabismus, and defects in visual acuity in children younger than 5 years of age.” Children who do not have any vision problems and do not have a family history of childhood eye problems should have their eyes tested during a routine medical visit or at their school. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommend that “all children be tested for eye problems during the newborn period and again at all regular visits to the eye doctor.”

Because early detection of eye problems is critical to preventing future serious eye diseases, getting a visual exam is essential for young children. Because children are confronted new social and emotional challenges when they first enter school, it is important not to add to their worries by making it difficult for them to see the chalkboard and read books. He or she will most likely end up engaging in unruly behavior in class, as well as perform poorly. A vision exam for a child should be as normal of a routine as a physical exam. Many experts recommend that children have their vision tested between the ages of 3 and 5 years.

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Detecting eye problems in children has now become an important part of preventing future debilitating eye conditions. Researchers have determined that more than 80% of learning in the classroom is visual. When a child is unable to see and read properly, their ability to learn and focus in the classroom significantly decreases. Most states have some form of a law or guidelines requiring that children have a visual exam before attending school. These tests are designed to detect any sight problems so that children do not have problems seeing in the classroom and when they are participating in extra curricular activities such as sports.

The visual exam must be completed by an optometrist, physician, or specialized registered nurse. Eye exams include testing for such conditions as overall eye health that includes evaluating the internal and external structures of the eye, misalignment of the eyes caused by a muscle imbalance (strabismus), near sightedness and farsightedness, and the ability to distinguish between objects, colors, letters, and shapes, as well as testing for lazy eye, and more.

Parents are encouraged to note any problems with their child’s eyesight. This can include having troubles making out letters, objects, shapes, and identifying colors.  This can be done by asking them to get you certain items or picking out objects while driving in the car. If parents have questions about their child’s eyes, they are encouraged to talk with educators or healthcare providers about the requirements. Parents can look for a child’s eyes that do not line up properly, eyelids that are crusted or swollen, and eyes that are watery, inflamed, or red. A child who has eye problems may constantly rub the eyes, close or cover one eye, has trouble reading or doing other close-up work,  becomes frustrated when doing homework, holds objects too close to the eyes to see, blinks more than usual, says objects are blurry or difficult to see, and squints the eyes or frowns.

At this time, 45 states do not make it mandatory to require screening of all pre-school children. Currently, 34 states provide vision screening guidelines and 15 states require vision screening of at least some of the preschool-aged children. The Department of Public Health administers the programs in 26 states, and the Department of Education runs the programs in 13 states. Visual acuity is assessed in 30 states, eye alignment in 24 states, refractive error in 8 states, and color vision in 10 states. A combination of screening tests is recommended in 24 states.

The U.S. Preventive Screening Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening to “detect amblyopia, strabismus, and defects in visual acuity in children younger than 5 years of age.” Children who do not have any vision problems and do not have a family history of childhood eye problems should have their eyes tested during a routine medical visit or at their school. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmologists recommend that “all children be tested for eye problems during the newborn period and again at all regular visits to the eye doctor.”

Because early detection of eye problems is critical to preventing future serious eye diseases, getting a visual exam is essential for young children. Because children are confronted new social and emotional challenges when they first enter school, it is important not to add to their worries by making it difficult for them to see the chalkboard and read books. He or she will most likely end up engaging in unruly behavior in class, as well as perform poorly. A vision exam for a child should be as normal of a routine as a physical exam. Many experts recommend that children have their vision tested between the ages of 3 and 5 years.

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