EYE HEALTH: WHEN CHILDREN NEED GLASSES Article and Photographs by BRENNA BURKE
I will never forget the day of my youngest son’s 6-month well child check. Our smart, wonderful family doctor noticed something neither my husband nor I had; one eye was slightly turned out. This is something that can be typical of newborns, but by 6 months it was a reason to go see a pediatric ophthalmologist. Of course as soon as anything comes up with your child that is even slightly off at any age most parents are probably apt to panic or brush it aside. I thought everything would be fine and nearly canceled his older brother’s eye exam believing all would be well. We were lucky and discovered that all he really needed were a pair of thick glasses. It was exciting to watch him see bubbles for the first time and explore those things that had been in front of him for so long without him knowing it. 22 | NW Kids Magazine
My family now has three kiddos who wear glasses full-time (even prescription swim goggles) and I am grateful every day for early intervention. Early intervention for children is the key.
EYE HEALTH FAST FACTS • Undiagnosed vision problems can affect physical and intellectual development. • 1 in 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed vision problems. • Less than 15% of all preschool children receive an eye exam, and less than 22% of preschool children receive some type of vision screening. • Only 10% of children between ages 9 and 15 who need glasses actually have them.