|
A vision test is a standardized examination of a person’s eyes to look for signs of illness or disorder. It is the first step used to assess a child’s visual health. A vision test may be performed as part of a screening procedure, or as part of a full eye examination conducted by an ophthalmologist (eye physician).
Vision problems affect more than 12 million children in the United States. This includes 5 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Left untreated, these problems can lead to permanent vision loss. In other cases, eye conditions can cause less serious but still substantial problems such as learning difficulties. For example, children with impaired visual acuity (distance vision) often struggle to see the blackboard at school and their academic performance may suffer as a result.
Children should have their vision tested regularly as they grow up. Such screenings are crucial to detecting a condition early, when it is most treatable. Successful treatment of these conditions also can prevent children from experiencing developmental delays.
For most children, exams by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, pediatrician or other trained screener should be performed at the following ages, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
Regular screenings should occur every year to two years. In some cases, children may need to be screened more frequently, especially for those at higher risk for eye disease. This includes those with a family history of eye problems or children who were born prematurely. According to the AAO, other risk factors that indicate a need for more frequent screenings include:
-
Developmental delays
-
People of African-American heritage, which increases the risk for glaucoma (high eyeball pressure that damages the optic nerve)
-
History of previous serious eye injury
-
Use of certain medications
-
History of certain diseases, including diabetes or HIV infection | 
/doctor_89.jpg "ulcerative colitis tips")