Your child is sniffling, sneezing, and fatigued. Is it a cold or the flu? While you can always visit the pediatrician for a more definitive answer, here are some clues as to which illness they have.
The vision system of babies and young children isn’t yet fully formed, so it’s important that your children get regular screenings to ensure that their eyes and vision are developing properly. How often should you schedule vision screenings for your child and just what can you expect during these exams?
Here at Penguin Pediatrics PLLC, with offices in Ashburn and Stone Ridge, Virginia, Dr. Umesh Kodu and our team provide your child with comprehensive pediatric care, including vision screenings. We’ve compiled this helpful guide to help you learn more about this important part of your child’s health care.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that a physician perform vision screenings at a few points in your child’s life, including:
It’s important to check your newborn baby’s eyes before they leave the hospital. This helps to rule out the possibility of eye infections, cataracts, defects, or glaucoma. These risks are higher for premature babies, babies who were on oxygen for a long period of time, and babies with a lot of medical problems.
When your child is 6 months old, we check their vision as part of a well-child exam. At this age, we check for eye health, vision development, and the alignment of your child’s eyes.
At these ages, we use photo screening devices to detect potential eye problems.
When your child is preschool age, we continue to monitor your child’s eye alignment. We also check for visual sharpness. We make sure that your child can focus at close, middle, and far distances. This is the age when we check for lazy eye and refractive problems like nearsightedness and astigmatism, an abnormality in the lens curvature.
From here on out, we start checking your child’s vision in each eye separately every year. At this stage, we mostly screen for visual alignment and accuracy of sight. If a problem is suspected, we refer you to an optometrist, given the possibility that your child needs glasses. The most common problem with children of this age is myopia, or nearsightedness.
Regular vision screenings are important for making sure that your child’s vision is functioning at its best, and to detect any potential problems as early as possible.
Your child’s vision care is an important facet of their overall health care, so call us or make an appointment right on our website today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Your child is sniffling, sneezing, and fatigued. Is it a cold or the flu? While you can always visit the pediatrician for a more definitive answer, here are some clues as to which illness they have.
In most cases, crossed eyes in babies are normal, as their muscles develop and learn to focus. But, crossed eyes in older babies and toddlers could indicate a possible vision or medical issue. Here’s when to seek a consultation for crossed eyes.
Strep throat is quite common and very treatable with antibiotics. Gone untreated, though, it can lead to complications. Here’s why you should take this bacterial infection seriously.
Warts may be common in kids, but that doesn’t mean they have to tolerate them. Cryotherapy effectively removes warts so your child doesn’t have to suffer the embarrassment and discomfort of these growths. We share how this treatment works.
You want your child to have a gleaming smile and strong teeth for a lifetime. Fluoride treatments help prevent cavities that get in the way of a beautiful smile. Learn why this is an oral care step your kids need.
Children receive vaccines and booster shots at different stages of development. Find out which vaccines your child needs now to provide protection from devastating illnesses.