A Parent’s Guide to Their Child’s Vision Development
Most parents know that their children should have their vision checked by a doctor regularly, but many don’t know what the doctors are looking for. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of vision development in children so that you can be informed and involved in your child’s eye care.
Children’s vision develops rapidly in the first few years of life, and it is important to ensure everything is on track.
Here are some of the things that doctors look for when assessing a child’s vision:
Eye tracking: This is the ability of the eyes to follow an object as it moves. Doctors will usually test this by moving an object around and seeing if the eyes can track it smoothly. If a child has trouble with eye tracking, it may be difficult for them to read or do other activities that require following moving objects.
Eye turns: Sometimes, one eye may turn in or out while the other fixates on an object. This is called strabismus and can cause depth perception and 3D vision problems. If your child has a constant eye turn, they may need glasses, patches, or surgery to correct it.
Visual acuity: This refers to how clearly a person sees. For children, this is usually tested by having them read from a special chart called an eye chart. The doctor will start with the largest letters and move down to smaller letters until your child can no longer read them from 20 feet away.
Spotting Problems Early
The first few years of a child’s life are critical for their vision development. A child’s brain is rapidly growing and making connections between birth and three years old. This is also when a child’s eyes are developing and they are learning how to see.
During this time, it is important for parents to take their children for regular eye exams. These exams can help identify any vision problems early on and can also help monitor your child’s vision development.
There are a few telltale signs that your child may have vision problems. If you notice any of the following, it’s worth bringing them in for an eye exam:
• Squinting or blinking more than usual
• Tilting their head when looking at something
• Covering one eye when looking at something
• Having trouble reading or doing other close-up work
• Losing place often when reading
• Rubbing their eyes frequently
• Holding books or other objects close to their face
Types of Vision Problems
Two main types of vision problems can affect children: refractive errors and amblyopia.
- Refractive errors occur when light doesn’t enter the eye properly due to an irregularity in the shape of the eye. This can make things look blurry or distorted.
- Amblyopia, on the other hand, occurs when the brain favors one eye over the other due to unequal focusing power between the two eyes. This can cause reduced vision in the weaker eye.
Treatment for Vision Problems in Children
The good news is that vision problems in children are highly treatable. The earlier they’re caught, the better. If your child has a refractive error, they may simply need glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision. If they have amblyopia, they may need glasses, patching therapy (wearing an adhesive patch over the stronger eye), or atropine drops (to temporarily blur vision in the stronger eye).
You can also do things at home to help with your child’s vision development. Encourage them to spend time outside every day, as natural light helps develop strong eye muscles. You can also limit screen time, as too much time spent looking at screens can lead to poor vision. And finally, make sure they are eating a healthy diet full of leafy greens and brightly colored fruits and vegetables, as these foods contain nutrients that are good for the eyes.
Kids Eye Exam in Denver
Many things go into ensuring that your child has healthy vision development. However, by staying informed and working with your child’s doctor, you can help make sure that your child’s vision develops correctly and stays healthy for years to come!
Call Youth Dental and Vision at (303) 953-8801 to book an appointment with the best kids eye doctor in Denver, at any one of our 4 locations. We offer vision appointments at our two locations in Denver: Grove St and Hampden Ave, as well as in Aurora and Thornton. For more information on our locations or the services we offer, email [email protected].
Many things go into ensuring that your child has healthy vision development. However, by staying informed and working with your child’s doctor, you can help make sure that your child’s vision develops correctly and stays healthy for years to come!
Call Youth Dental and Vision at (303) 953-8801 to book an appointment with the best kids eye doctor in Denver, at any one of our 4 locations. We offer vision appointments at our two locations in Denver: Grove St and Hampden Ave, as well as in Aurora and Thornton. For more information on our locations or the services we offer, email [email protected].