Children’s vision is very important: One in four school-age children has a vision-related problem, yet almost 80 percent of preschool children never get an eye exam.
So how can you tell if your child has a problem? According to American Baby, your child may have a problem if she shows the kinds of behavior listed below:
From birth
She doesn’t stare at a human face or a vividly-patterned object.
1-2 months
She does not track a bright object with her eyes.
Her eyes wander or appear crossed or crooked.
3-4 months
She cannot see you from across the room.
She does not reach for or bat at objects.
Any age
She cannot see objects unless they are held close.
She turns sideways or tilts her head to look at objects.
She has persistent redness in or around her eyes, or swelling of or discharge from her eyes.
One or both of her eyelid’s droop.
The colored part of one or both eyes appear cloudy.
She shows excessive tearing, light sensitivity, squinting or blinking.
She rubs her eyes frequently. She has an eye injury.
Get help
If you have any concerns, consult with your pediatrician. You will also find many free or reduced fee exam possibilities on the internet under free vision exams for children. Many problems can be corrected if they are found early. Call the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at 800-232-4636.
The same is true of other health related problems. For example, hearing problems also need to be evaluated. All babies should be screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age. It is best if they are screened before leaving the hospital after birth.
If a baby does not pass a hearing screening, it’s very important to get a full hearing test as soon as possible, but no later than 3 months of age.
Don’t wait; health issues frequently become worse if ignored. Your young baby cannot tell you if she is having problems.
You need to get medical help to evaluate how best to provide her with any help she may need.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.
