Vision Screening

One of the key elements to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to ensure you keep your eyes in good condition. To maintain good vision, routine vision screenings are mandatory, not elective. Vision screenings begin with newborns and continue on throughout one’s life.

There are many different techniques employed for vision screenings. Infants are tested for proper eye control and eye health by your pediatrician. If the pediatrician notices serious problems, he will refer the baby to a pediatric ophthalmologist. As babies become older, the doctor will check for strabismus, which is a misalignment of the eyes; amblyopia, which is reduced vision; and refractive errors, which are either nearsightedness or farsightedness, among other abnormalities. If there are vision problems, the more quickly a problem is diagnosed, the faster corrective action can be taken.

Around two years of age, a child’s vision can be tested using a picture chart showing familiar objects. As a child reaches ages 3 through 5, the doctor will utilize an “E” chart, which shows the letter E pointing in different directions. By pointing up, down, right, or left, the child can indicate the direction in which he sees the letter. Once a child can read his letters accurately, the doctor will begin using the Snellen Chart. The Snellen Chart is the standard vision chart used for all ages.

As parents, it is important to notice if your child is rubbing his eyes, squinting, crossing his eyes, or if there is puffiness, redness, or swelling around the eyes. A child may also complain of headaches or of seeing double. It is important to have your child screened by a pediatric ophthalmologist, especially if there have been prior indications of a problem. Continued evaluation is strongly recommended and routine visits for vision screening will assure healthy eyes.