Eye examination of preschoolers is important for an early diagnosis of eye problems in them. Find out whether your preschooler has a vision problem and other relevant details related to eye examinations. It is natural for you to wonder whether your preschooler has a vision problem as he is about take his very first step towards formal development from here on. Some parents are also not sure as to when should they take their kids for their first eye examination. Given below are some of the reasons why an early eye examination is necessary:The preschooler is required to learn the difference between near and distant vision.The binocular or both eyes coordination is necessary for learning and reading.Eye movement skills are required to be improved.The focussing skills need to be built.The peripheral awareness needs to be developed.The hand-eye coordination needs to be taught for learning and various other activities.The above mentioned are just a few reasons why an eye examination is vital for a preschooler. After all, this is the commencement of his learning and development period. And you need to ensure that he is well equipped for the same. In this articleWhen Should You Schedule An Eye Examination?Provide all Relevant DetailsCommon Tests Done on PreschoolersWhen Should You Schedule An Eye Examination? Your paediatrician or your family physician is the best person to advise you on the right time for the first eye check-up. If any symptom of a probable eye problem is recognised during the routine physical examinations, a referral might be made to an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment. Often a lot of potential vision problems are averted when an early diagnosis is made. It is usually suggested that the date of an eye examination should be when the baby is alert and happy. If the baby is in an irritated mood due to any other reason, his response to the eye examination will not be proper. Provide all Relevant Details Certain eye problems have their root in some family history, so it is good if you are aware if there is any such history of an eye ailment in the family and provide the doctor with the necessary details. You may also be asked to provide all birth details like birth weight and whether the baby was prematurely born or not. Certain vision problems are found only when the baby is born before completing full-term. Give as much detail as possible, like:If there is a family history of premature babies being born, make sure that you let the doctor aware of the fact.If the kid rubs his eyes frequently or blinks a lot.If the child is unable to maintain eye contact.If the child does not have a fixed gaze while he is looking at something, or there is shifty eye movement.If the eye tracking skills are poor.If there is a delayed motor development in the child.All these factors will help the doctor diagnose the eye ailment in your preschooler and accordingly suggest measures and cure. Common Tests Done on Preschoolers Following are the common tests which are done on preschoolers. Random Dot Stereopsis – This test is conducted by making the child view at a certain pattern of dots through a pair of 3-D glasses. It measures the level of coordination of both eyes while working as a team. Retinoscopy – Here, a ray of shining light is passed through the eyes and its reflection on the retina or the back of the eye is noted. This measures the eyeglass perception of the kid. LEA Symbols – This test is similar to the regular eye check up that is done on adults, that is using a chart of letters of numbers or alphabets. For the preschooler, these letters are substituted with sketches or designs of objects like, apple, house, animals, shapes like squares and circles, etc. Finally, the importance of eye examination lies in the fact that many researchers have found that 5-10% of preschoolers has already developed some eye problem or the other. An early identification of a probable vision problem can actually help the child to respond to the treatment more readily and thus get treated effectively. An early diagnosis always paves the way for a faster and complete cure.
Eye examination of preschoolers is important for an early diagnosis of eye problems in them. Find out whether your preschooler has a vision problem and other relevant details related to eye examinations. It is natural for you to wonder whether your preschooler has a vision problem as he is about take his very first step towards formal development from here on. Some parents are also not sure as to when should they take their kids for their first eye examination. Given below are some of the reasons why an early eye examination is necessary:
- The preschooler is required to learn the difference between near and distant vision.
- The binocular or both eyes coordination is necessary for learning and reading.
- Eye movement skills are required to be improved.
- The focussing skills need to be built.
- The peripheral awareness needs to be developed.
- The hand-eye coordination needs to be taught for learning and various other activities.
The above mentioned are just a few reasons why an eye examination is vital for a preschooler. After all, this is the commencement of his learning and development period. And you need to ensure that he is well equipped for the same.
When Should You Schedule An Eye Examination?
Your paediatrician or your family physician is the best person to advise you on the right time for the first eye check-up. If any symptom of a probable eye problem is recognised during the routine physical examinations, a referral might be made to an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment. Often a lot of potential vision problems are averted when an early diagnosis is made. It is usually suggested that the date of an eye examination should be when the baby is alert and happy. If the baby is in an irritated mood due to any other reason, his response to the eye examination will not be proper.
Provide all Relevant Details
Certain eye problems have their root in some family history, so it is good if you are aware if there is any such history of an eye ailment in the family and provide the doctor with the necessary details. You may also be asked to provide all birth details like birth weight and whether the baby was prematurely born or not. Certain vision problems are found only when the baby is born before completing full-term. Give as much detail as possible, like:
- If there is a family history of premature babies being born, make sure that you let the doctor aware of the fact.
- If the kid rubs his eyes frequently or blinks a lot.
- If the child is unable to maintain eye contact.
- If the child does not have a fixed gaze while he is looking at something, or there is shifty eye movement.
- If the eye tracking skills are poor.
- If there is a delayed motor development in the child.
All these factors will help the doctor diagnose the eye ailment in your preschooler and accordingly suggest measures and cure.
Common Tests Done on Preschoolers
Following are the common tests which are done on preschoolers.
Random Dot Stereopsis – This test is conducted by making the child view at a certain pattern of dots through a pair of 3-D glasses. It measures the level of coordination of both eyes while working as a team.
Retinoscopy – Here, a ray of shining light is passed through the eyes and its reflection on the retina or the back of the eye is noted. This measures the eyeglass perception of the kid.
LEA Symbols – This test is similar to the regular eye check up that is done on adults, that is using a chart of letters of numbers or alphabets. For the preschooler, these letters are substituted with sketches or designs of objects like, apple, house, animals, shapes like squares and circles, etc.
Finally, the importance of eye examination lies in the fact that many researchers have found that 5-10% of preschoolers has already developed some eye problem or the other. An early identification of a probable vision problem can actually help the child to respond to the treatment more readily and thus get treated effectively. An early diagnosis always paves the way for a faster and complete cure.
