Taking Your Child to the Eye Doctor
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
Edward H. Titmus, Jr. Center for Sight | 11618 Busy Street | Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 423-2020 | toll-free (888) 790-2020 | fax (804) 423-5409
www.TheEyeSite.org
Washington Area Office | 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 700 | Alexandria, VA 22314
Star Pupils is the children's vision campaign of
The more you learn about children's eyes, the better you can help protect them!
The eyes of newborn infants should be evaluated in the hospital nursery. This examination can help detect several congenital eye problems, some of which can be very serious.
Between six months and one year of age, infants should be checked for good eye health by a doctor or other appropriately trained health care provider during routine well-baby care or other doctor's office visits.
Similarly, children's vision should be tested between 3 and 4, either during a well-child visit to the doctor, a visit to an eye doctor, or at a vision screening conducted by trained personnel such as those performed by Prevent Blindness America.
Finding an Eye Doctor for Your Child
Talk to friends, family members and your child's pediatrician about finding an eye doctor for your child. Professional associations can also help you find an eye doctor in your community.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership association of ophthalmologists - the medical eye physicians and surgeons who provide comprehensive eye care. AAO offers an on-line listing of member ophthalmologists practicing in the United States and abroad.
American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, represents more than 32,000 doctors of optometry, students of optometry and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in more than 6,600 communities across the country and in foreign countries dedicated to providing the highest quality eye care. For help finding an optometrist near you, call 1-800-262-3947or use their Dr. Locator page:
Prevent Blindness America recommends a continuum of eye care for children that can include both vision screening and comprehensive eye exams*. All children, even those with no signs of trouble, should have their eyes checked at regular intervals. Any child who experiences vision problems or shows symptoms of eye trouble should receive a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
Eye Exams and Screenings
Only an eye doctor can diagnose and treat a vision problem, but vision screenings help find children who need a full eye exam.
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic's children's vision screenings are an accurate, cost-effective way to find vision problems in children.
Prevent Blindness America has the only national program that trains and certifies people around the country to conduct vision screenings that find vision problems in preschool and school-age children. Our screening procedures are recommended by many of the nation's leading children's eye care professionals and researchers.
A full comprehensive eye examination by an eye doctor includes an evaluation of the refractive state, dilated fundus examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment, binocularity, and color vision testing, where appropriate.
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic Certified Vision Screeners
To become a Prevent Blindness certified vision screener, individuals must complete a vision screening training program developed by Prevent Blindness America.
Successful participants are nationally certified through Prevent Blindness America as qualified children's vision screeners for basic procedures. To maintain certification, a screener must follow Prevent Blindness America's children's vision screening guidelines, must submit screening reports, and must re-certify every three years.
All of Prevent Blindness America's vision screening programs are based on medically accepted and scientifically tested screening techniques and technologies; standardized training, training and reporting; and continual program evaluation.
Your Child's First Eye Doctor Visit
If you are planning to take your child to the eye doctor, here are some helpful tips:
1. Ask your relatives, friends and neighbors if they know the name of an eye doctor who is good with children.
2. Schedule the appointment when your child is not likely to be sleepy or hungry. If your child has a "cranky" time of day, schedule around it.
3. Make a list of your questions and bring it with you. Take notes when speaking to the doctor, so that you can refer to them later.
4. Have a plan ready in case you need to spend time in the waiting room. Bring a favorite storybook, coloring book or small toy that your child can play with quietly. A snack can also help to pass the time.
5. Let your child watch a family member get an eye exam. Have the doctor explain what is being done, step by step, and encourage the child to ask questions.
6. Bring your child's favorite cuddly toy. The doctor can "examine" the bear or doll and holding a toy may keep little hands off of expensive equipment.
7. Relax. Children look to adults for cues: if you seem nervous, your child may become anxious. A trip to the eye doctor should be fun for both of you.
How will an eye doctor treat my child's eye problem?
Eye care professionals use many different treatments to correct a child's eye problems. These treatments may be used alone or in combination.
Glasses
Glasses compensate for refractive error, correct a focusing problem, or overcome an eye turn. Glasses can help your child to see clearly even though he or she may be farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism.
Medications
Eye drops or ointments are used to treat infections, glaucoma, and sometimes even strabismus or amblyopia.
Patching
Patching one eye is common in treating amblyopia.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to remove the lens if it has a cataract, reduce the pressure of glaucoma, halt vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, or adjust an eye muscle if strabismus exists.
Eye Exercises
Eye exercises (orthoptics) can improve focusing and help the eyes move better and work together
