Getting an eye exam with an eye doctor is just as important for adults, and it’s very important at an early age.
Dr. Thomas Weshefsky from the Carolina Forest Family Eye Care shares why having a vision screening check isn’t enough. Kids often don’t get that check-up or eye exam that they need.
“We’re looking really to highlight the importance of vision care in children because…well 80% of what we learn we learn through vision and we know that one out of four children does have a vision problem. And people just underestimate the need for vision care. Statistics show that 86% of children will start school without ever having had an eye exam in their entire lives. One out of four (children) are the ones having a problem. There’s a big disconnect between the need and the presumed need. That’s what we’re looking to do — looking to try and find some children to help them out.”
Parent’s come in for screenings, they’re kind of shocked when during an eye exam that their child does have a problem.
“It’s really common for a child to sit in the exam room and maybe not be able to read much beyond the big “E” at the top of the chart. Parent’s are always shocked by that. The problem is that they usually assume that a child will complain that they are having trouble seeing. Vision difficulties are so gradual that it’s very common for children to not notice that they have a problem and not complain, they really don’t know any better.”
With small kids, when should a parent be getting these screenings done? Once a year? How would you estimate?
“Well, we recommend a comprehensive eye exam. The First one should be somewhere between the ages of six months and a year of age. Then again at three years of age and then again prior to starting school. At that point, if the child has no vision problems then every other year is usually sufficient. If there is a problem, then once a year or as often as your doctor recommends.”
