You haven’t slept for weeks since the arrival of a new little one. We know it’s a lot to cope with, which is perhaps why so many adults overlook regular visits to the optician. But this is critically important to the health of a new baby.
Even if your child’s eyes presented as healthy when they were screened at birth as part of their post-natal health checks, it doesn’t mean they can’t develop problems. Opticians recommend that your child’s routine appointment should take place every six to twelve months, and you should expect your optician will want to see them before they start school at aged 4 or 5. However, if you have any concerns about your child’s eyesight, always take them to the optician straight away.
Why should you add eye examinations for your children to your busy schedule? Here are four reasons.
- Poor vision can effect children’s grades.
- Children with vision problems tend to struggle with their grades more than those who don’t, according to a study conducted by Ohio State University. The study reported that children who were born even slightly farsighted were far more likely to struggle when given attention related examinations. Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, occurs in up to 14% of children and is easily fixed with glasses or contact lenses
- Eye conditions are more likely to be resolved if detected early
- After some time, certain eye conditions in children may become impossible to treat. That’s why it’s imperative you get your child’s eyes tested regularly. Lazy eyes and cross-sightedness can be common in children, and are easily corrected with an eye patch if detected early.
- Certain eye problems can indicate a more serious underlying condition
- Generally, it’s incredibly uncommon for children to develop conditions such as cataracts. If they do, it’s usually due to diabetes. Other serious issues such as cholesterol problems or thyroid imbalances can also be diagnosed through looking at the eyes.
- Vision problems can be misdiagnosed as something else
- Children who suffer from vision problems often exhibit symptoms such as headaches and hyperactivity. If they’re being taken regularly to a paediatrician, these issues may be misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or migraines. In some cases, this can lead to the unnecessary prescribing of dangerous mood altering drugs, which could potentially create a serious health problem. It’s therefore vital that you child visits an optician regularly, so you can cultivate a relevant team to support your child’s health.
Certain opticians are better trained than others to help children with their vision. This is why so many parents choose David Paul Opticians to care for their children. If you are worried about your child or they have an issue with their vision, we are here to help. Contact us on 01442 879 303 or email us at info@davidpaul.co.uk today.