Humans are not born with good vision, but with the ability to develop it. A newborn baby only perceives shapes, lights, movements, and shadows; over time, the visual system gradually matures.
As children, we are very curious, discovering the fantastic world in which we live. We look at our surroundings, focus our attention on bright colors and movement, and are captivated by what we see. Children have fun playing, running, jumping, and playing sports, and all of these activities depend on good vision to be performed well.
Not every child develops full visual potential
Unfortunately, not all children develop their full visual potential. Some need help with prescription glasses and others with vision therapy. For example, amblyopia — a condition commonly known as “lazy eye” — occurs when the refractive system of the eye is not working properly. Amblyopia is one of the most common vision problems in children. If it is not detected before 8 years of age, the blurred vision can become permanent and, in some cases, does not improve with glasses. This condition must be detected and treated with vision therapy at an early age, because the eye finishes developing vision at around 10 years of age. You can learn more in our article on understanding amblyopia and protecting your child’s vision.
Children often do not realize that their vision is blurred. Usually it is the teacher or the mother who notices it, which is why they take the child to a specialist. A complete eye exam is important for children, since about 80% of what they learn comes through their eyes. In many cases, a child’s school performance can be affected by an undetected vision problem.
When should a child have their first eye exam?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), babies should have their first comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at 6 months of age, then another at 2 to 3 years, and another just before entering kindergarten or first grade.
Vision is much more than seeing clearly
At an early age, humans develop the sensory foundations of creativity, intelligence, capacities, abilities, and aptitudes that will mature over the course of life.
Adequate vision gives a child the ability to move, play sports, jump, run, dodge, ride a bike, and reach for and catch objects safely. New experiences stimulate their vision, and in turn their visual activity is stimulated, making them more capable and more confident.
The visual system involves around 20 skills and 70% of the brain’s connections; therefore, a large part of what children perceive, understand, remember, and read depends on the effectiveness of their vision.
It is not just about seeing clearly. Good eye health is the most important thing, along with color vision, peripheral vision, visual fields, three-dimensional vision, binocular coordination, the movements of the extraocular muscles, and proper refraction. When focusing problems are present, an exam can detect refractive errors that are easily corrected with glasses. Some children may also be developing myopia (nearsightedness), which is becoming increasingly common.
To all mothers and fathers, as well as teachers and every health professional who works with children, I advise you to stay alert to any sign of a visual abnormality or facial gesture that could suggest poor vision. Detecting it early allows us to intervene as soon as possible and prevent it from interfering with a child’s development and learning.
A better understanding of your child’s eye health will give you a better understanding of their educational and physical performance.
Book your child’s eye exam in Roatán
The best gift for your child’s vision is a timely eye exam. At our clinic in Roatán, we perform comprehensive eye exams for children and offer a full range of eye care services. Book your child’s appointment today and help them see and learn at their best.