August 23, 2022
Are Your Child's Eyes Ready for Back to School?
School preparations have begun, and some children have already started school this week! Has your child received an eye exam within the last year? Healthy vision is essential to learning and can help young children excel in extracurricular activities as well. Wolfe Eye Clinic physicians want to stress the importance of annual eye exams for all ages, but it is important to know the signs and symptoms that your children may be experiencing if they are struggling with poor vision.
How do I know if my child has a vision disorder?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600,000 children and teens are blind or have a vision disorder that has gone undetected. Many children affected by childhood eye disorders can be helped simply with glasses but do not receive the care they need due to the lack of insurance coverage. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, amblyopia also known as “lazy eye” astigmatism and pediatric strabismus can all disrupt your child’s vision. Your child may exhibit behaviors such as tilting their head, rubbing their eyes or even close one eye to see better if they suffer from any of these vision disorders. Each condition has its own symptom and can be difficult for a parent to detect that’s why it is crucial for children to be seen annually by a pediatric eye specialist.
What is the best way to protect my child’s eyesight?
Ocular conditions can be passed down through parents to children. Optometrist Network states if you or a family member has been diagnosed with an eye condition or vision disorder, your child is at a higher risk of developing them as well. Aside from the daily preventatives like eating healthy, knowledge of family history and having regular eye exams; it is also important for your children to wear protective eye wear during activities. Working with your child’s local eye doctor on a correctly sized pair of protective lenses can prevent eye injuries from occurring.
Do I need to see a pediatric eye specialist?
If you are unsure if a pediatric eye specialist is close to you and you believe your child is struggling with their vision, start by seeing your family eye doctor. They are able to provide primary eye care and refer your child to a Wolfe Eye Clinic pediatric ophthalmologist if further treatment is needed. Our pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in medical and surgical treatment of childhood eye disorders and offer care in Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, Hiawatha (Cedar Rapids), Iowa City, Marshalltown and Waterloo. You can find more information on pediatric ophthalmology at Wolfe Eye Clinic here. We want to ensure your child has the best vision possible for 2022 and beyond!