Vision for Infants, Toddlers and Children

Helping your child to a lifetime of good vision

From the time your children are born, there are things you can do to help them develop their sight and maintain healthy eyes.

Infants and toddlers

Proper nutrition and prenatal care for a woman during pregnancy help a child’s eyes develop normally in the womb. A newborn’s eyes should be examined at birth to screen for any congenital eye problems. Have them checked again by an optometrist when your child is about six-months-old to rule out any vision problems.

During the first two years of life, your baby will learn to track moving objects with his/her eyes; reach for things as depth perception and hand/eye coordination improve; and explore his/her world through eye-hand-foot-body coordination as he/she begins to walk. You can help by providing a safe and interesting environment for your child and by playing games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo.

Preschoolers

In the years from three to six, your child will continue to develop his eye-hand-body coordination and fine motor skills. Help your child by reading aloud and letting him/her see the words and the pictures on the page. Let him/her explore the world through arts and crafts, outdoor play and other activities that will stimulate imagination as well as eyesight.

Somewhere around age three, your child should have a complete eye examination to make sure his/her vision is developing properly. Help prepare for the trip to the eye doctor’s by explaining before hand what can be expected. Make the appointment for a time in the day when your child will be rested and you will not be rushed.

School Age Children

Good eyesight is essential to your child’s success at school and at play. Sometimes, however, changes in your child’s vision may occur so gradually neither you nor he/she even notice.

A child can indicate difficulties with eyesight in a number of ways, including headaches, fatigue and eyestrain. Other symptoms of vision or visual processing problems can difficulty maintaining his/her place as your child reads; holding reading material close to the eyes; or confusing small words when reading.

Although your child may have vision screenings at school, he/she needs a thorough eye at least once every two years. If he/she exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned above, however, you should make an appointment right away. The doctor can prescribe any necessary treatment such as eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy.

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